
Fo^ Sunday. SchooS 

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

15 — ra — 



: UNITED STATES ( I ERICA. 



t 



SUNDAY SCHOOL CONCERTS, 



CONTAINING 



TWELVE COMPLETE EXERCISES, 



WITH MUSIC, AND ADDITIONAL POEMS. 



By FRANK SWEET. 



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BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY FRANK SWEET. 
1881. ' 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18S1, by 

FRANK SWEET, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, 

D. C, 



All rights reserved. 



Contents. 



Concert Exercises. 






Seven Jewels, . . ."" 






Page. 

7 


Children of God, 






.19 


The Brightest Crown, 






31 


Precious Bible Promises, 






43 


God is Love, 






55 


Flowers of God, 






67 


God's Ministering Angels, 






79 


Sparkling Water, 






91 


The Beautiful City of God, 






103 


The Harvest Crown, 






"5 


Thanksgiving and Praise, 






127 


Christ the Lord, . 






139 



Poems. 

One by One, 151 

Progression, . . . . . . .152 

My Country, . . . . . . . 152 

Sparkling Water, . . . . . .154 

Thought, .154 

Present and Future, . . / .156 

Mine, . . . . . . . . .156 

Glad Tidings, . , '-.. . . . .157 

Light, . . . 158 

"Sic Itur, ad Astra," 160 



SPARKLING JEWELS 



BOUND IN FULL CLOTH, WITH GILT EDGES, 



PRICE $1.50. 



Plain Cloth, Price $1.25. 



The Exercises contained in this volume are published 
separately, and will be sent to any address at the follow- 
ing prices : 



Single Copies, . 


6 Cents. 


Per Dozen, 


. . 50 " 


Per Hundred, . 


$3.50. 



Sent by mail, prepaid, on receipt of price. 

Address : 

FRANK SWEET, PUBLISHER, 



BOSTON- MASS. 



The Author's Preface. 



After several years' experience as Superintendent 
of Sabbath Schools, I am fully persuaded that there 
is a natural and reasonable demand, in schools gen- 
erally, for the presentation of religious truth in a 
variety of forms, to attract the attention and lead 
souls to a higher life. This is because a superior 
type of civilization, a higher degree of intellectual 
and spiritual culture exists now than hitherto ; and 
still the watchword of humanity is " Onward and 
Upward." Therefore, Bible truths, bearing upon a 
particular subject, enforced by a wide range of scrip- 
ture passages, and made joyful by the spirit of poetry 
and song, are well calculated to inspire a love of 
Truth, leading to a closer study of the Scriptures ; 
resulting in a more thorough knowledge of God, and 
of our relations and duties to him and to each other ; 
unfolding a richer and purer love for our Father in 
heaven, and for his children here. With this view, the' 
present volume is especially prepared and respectfully 
submitted : with the hope and prayer that it may be a 
power for good, under the guidance of the Spirit, 
leading many up the shining way to those pearly 
gates, where the ransomed of the Lord shall enter 
into the Celestial City — " with songs and everlasting 

joy." 



GOD IS LOVE. 



Words by FRANK SWEET. 



Music by J. W. TURNER. 



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1. When in Spring our Father's hand Clothes with beau-ty all the 

2. When this changeful world of ours Wears a love - ly robe of 

3. These are words that light and cheer All the Christian's path- way 






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land; At the ear-ly dawn of day, In and out the dew-y 

flowers, And the clear and sparkling rills Sing a-down the vine-clad 

here; In the sacred book they shine With a glo - ry all di- 



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Love, This sweet song the spirit 
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God is Love. 
God is Love. 
God is Love. 




Out beneath the leafy bowers, 

Ever hi the golden hours, 

Children whose young hearts are true, 
Sing this song forever new, 
And my heart is singing too — 
God is Love. 

High in yonder realms of light, 

Clad in raiment pure and white, 
There in life's eternal spring, 
May we make the mansions ring 
With this choral angels sing — 
God is Love. 






TAKE THE SPARKLING WINE AWAY. 

TEMPERANCE SONG & CHORUS. 
W^ords by Frank Sweet. Music by Jas. M. Stewart. 




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the for-est spring, 
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Where the bright birds sweetly 

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sing; Bring me wa - ter pure and bright, For it fills the eye with 
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glow; Free to all, it brightly gleams In a thou - sand crystal 

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light : ' Tis the best, in childhood's hour, ' Tis the best, in love's bright 

earth; Making all the world more bright, Sparkling in the li-quid 

streams, Dashing on the rocks their spray Singing all the live long 




Copyright, 1876, by Frank Sweet 




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bower, 'Tis the best, in manhood's prime, And will be throughout all time, 
light; This for me, and I will say, Take the sparkling wine a-way. 
dav, Bring me this, and I will sav : Take the sparkling wine a- way . 

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MY ANGEL NAME. 



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Words & Music by FRANK SWEET. 



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2. When earthly cares 

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glow of end - less youth, Where fade-less bean - ty ev - er 
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thought may change the brow; And while ye hope, as-pire and 

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Copyright, 1876, by Frank Sweet. 



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SEVEN JEWELS 



By FRANK SWEET, 



Jewels. < 



( FAITH, 

HOPE, 

CPiARITY, 

PEACE, 

JOY, 

LOVE, 
^PURITY. 



Copyrighted by Frank Sweet, 1877. 




SEVEN JEWELS. 



SINGING.— Jewels. 

READING SCRIPTURE- By Superintendent. 91st Ps. 

PRAYER — By the Pastor. 

FAITH. 

A Personation. 
I give a calm abiding trust, 
A treasure that will never rust ; 
A confidence e'er strong in Him 
Who ruleth man and cherubim. 

Whose wondrous love encircles all, 
And even notes the sparrow's fall : 
Whose spirit reign eth everywhere, 
For men and angels are his care. 

I lead along the shining way 
That brighter grows each passing day, 
Where e'en the darkest cloud is riven, 
That holy light may shine from heaven. 

I give a pure and perfect trust, 

When sorrow humbles to the dust ; 

And make the heavy laden strong, 

To bear their burdens through the throng. 

I guide them to a glorious rest, 
In shining mansions of the blest ; 



10 SEVEN JEWELS. 

Where they shall lay their burdens down 
To wear white robes, and starry crown. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

Subject. -FAITH. 

But that no man is justified by the law in the 
sight of God, it is evident : for the just shall 
live by faith. P"or in Jesus Christ neither cir- 
cumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcis- 
ion ; but faith which worketh by love. If any 
of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that 
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; 
and it shall be given him. But let him ask in 
faith, nothing wavering. What doth it profit, 
my brethren, Though a man say he hath faith, 
and have not works ? Can faith save him ? 
By grace are ye saved through faith ; and that 
not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God. For 
we are the children of God by faith in Christ 
Jesus. 

SINGING.-" My faith looks up to thee." 

HOPE. 

A Personation. 

With joyful heart I come to bring 
A free and precious offering ; 
And as I come I gladly trace 
The glow of hope on every face, 
And flashing out from every eye, 
A radiance like the summer sky. 

I give to each a jewel rare, 
That every one may wish to wear, 
The star of hope, that e'er will be 
A guide to all on life's broad sea ; 



SEVEN JEWELS. \\ 

Assuring that, whate'er betide, 
A Savior true is at your side. 

With power to lead away from sin, 
And make the heart all pure within ; 
And keep your pathway ever bright 
By fringing all the clouds with light : — 
This precious boon is freely given 
To one and all — the hope of Heaven. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

Subject -HOPE, 

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, 
and whose hope the Lord is. For we are saved 
by hope : but hope that is seen is not hope : for 
what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for ? 
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious 
appearing of the great God, and our Savior Jesus 
Christ. That being justified by his grace, we 
should be made heirs according to the hope of 
eternal life. Which hope we have as an anchor 
to the soul both sure and steadfast, and which 
entereth into that within the vail. And every 
man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, 
even as he is pure. Hope thou in God. 

SINGING.— " Hope is singing, singing sweetly." Solo, with fuil Chorus. 
Calvary Songs, page 96. 

CHARITY. 

A Recitation. 
Charity — is a friend whose smile 
Can every ill and woe beguile ; 
Sweet maid, she " seeketh not her own," 
But on the cheerless and the lone 
Her blessings fall. 



12 SEVEN JEWELS. 

She comes with such a charming grace, 
That she obtains a dwelling place 
In every heart that knows the love, 
That God sends richly from above — 
Free unto all. 

Rejoicing in the truth, she goes 
Where sorrow's troubled current flows ; 
With brow of peace, and eye of light, 
She makes the wanderers pathway bright, 
To guide from sin. 

How sad earth's lowly ones would be 
Without the aid of charity ; - — 
She scatters blessings day by day, 
And homes along the darkest way 
Are bright again. 

All through the winter, drear and wild, 
Go thou and aid misfortunes child ! 
And when the silver cord is riven, 
Beyond the pearly gates of heaven 
Thy home may be. 

If riches crown thy earthly lot — 
Have charity that "envieth not:" 
Give freely of thy bounteous store, 
And priceless treasures evermore 
Will God give thee. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

Subject -CHARITY. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and 
of angels, and have not charity, I am become as 
sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And 
though I have the gift of prophecy, and under- 
stand all mysteries and all knowledge ; and 
though I have all faith so that I could remove 



SEVEN JEWELS. 13 

mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the 
poor, and though I give my body to be burned, 
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 
Charity suffereth long and is kind ; Charity 
envieth not ; Charity vaunteth not itself, is not 
puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, 
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, 
thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but 
rejoiceth in the truth ; beareth all things, 
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth 
all things. Charity never faileth. And now 
abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but 
the greatest of these is charity. 

SINGING — " Love of Jesus." Calvary Songs, page 34. 

PEACE. 

A Recitation. 

Peace roved among the youthful bowers 

At early dawn of time, 
And meekly kissed the fair young flowers 

Of Eden's golden prime. 

The dove within the Ark that sought, 

And did obtain release, 
Returning there again it brought 

The olive-branch of peace. 

Peace — was the song the angels sung 

In ancient land of dreams, 
Where shepherds watched their flocks among 

The bright Arcadian streams. 

This rich bequest our Savior made : — 
"My peace I leave with you," 



14 SEVEN JEWELS. 

When he the Father's will obeyed, 
And from the world withdrew. 

Angel of Peace ! forever bright, — 

Come once again, and pour 
A calm, serene, and holy light, 

On every earthly shore, 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

Subject- PEACE. 

The Lord will give strength unto his people ; 
the Lord will bless his people with peace. 
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright : 
for the end of that man is peace. Thou wilt 
keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed 
on thee. Thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer, 
the Holy One of Israel ; I am the Lord thy God 
which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth 
thee by the way that thou shouldst go. Oh that 
thou hadst hearkened to my commandments ! 
then had thy peace been as a river, and thy 
righteousness as the waves of the sea. There- 
fore, being justified by faith, we have peace with 
God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Be perfect, 
be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in 
peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be 
with you. 

SINGING .— By the Choir, " Glory to God." Calvary Songs, page 25. 

JOY. 

A Recitation. 
Here every heart may have the joy 
No earthly power can destroy ; 
For that sweet joy that reigns in heaven, 
Is freely unto mortals given. 



SEVEN JEWELS. 15 

Angels rejoice in heaven above, 
When sinners share a Savior's love ; 
But greater joy must dwell within 
The heart that Christ hath freed from sin. 

And still that joy is but the flower, 
Just opening for a heavenly bower, 
Which through the ages will expand, 
Kept by a loving Father's hand. 

Rejoice — then shall thy pathway grow 
More bright and fair each day below ; 
While every throb of heart and brain 
Shall lengthen out life's golden chain. 

Rejoice — and may it be thy prayer,— 
That every heart this boon may share ; 
And gifts above all price be given ; — 
The joy and peace, and bliss of heaven. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

Subject-JOY. 

Preserve me O God : for in thee do I put my 
trust. Thou wilt show me the path of life : in 
thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right 
hand there are pleasures forevermore. Restore 
unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold 
me with thy free spirit. God giveth to a man 
that is good in his sight, wisdom and knowledge 
and joy. The meek also shall increase their 
joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall 
rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Beautiful for 
situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount 
Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the 
great King. And the ransomed of the Lord 
shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and 



16 SEVEN JEWELS. 

everlasting joy upon their heads. There is joy 
in the presence of the angels of God over one 
sinner that repenteth. Rejoice in the Lord 
alway : and again I say rejoice. 

SINGING. — "Joy to the world,— the Lord is come." Quartette. 

LOVE. 

A Recitation. 

In earth below, or heaven above, 
There is no richer gift than love. 

To rich and poor, and great and small, 
The love of God is free for all. 

Before the Lord had formed the earth, 
Or yet a single star had birth ; 

Or angel feet had ever trod, 
The golden city of our God ; 

The light of love was everywhere, 
Its fragrance on the heavenly air: 

For morning stars together sang, 
And all creation's arches rang ; 

When by the power of God's own thought 
The wondrous works of love were wrought. 

Love paints the spring and summer flowers, 
And all of Autumn's radiant bowers. 

She tints the brilliant clouds of morn, 
And crowns the hills with golden corn. 

And moves on every healthful breeze, 
That gently stirs the fruitful trees. 

Peace and good-will she doth bestow, 
And other treasures here below ; 

The richest gifts that mortals know ; — 
But in the land to which ye go, 



SEVEN JEWELS. 17 

Love's blessed angel kindly waits 
Beside the open pearly gates, 

There to bestow a robe of white, 
And starry crown, a crown of light. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

Subject -LOVE. 

I will love thee O Lord, my strength. Great 

peace have they which love thy law, and nothing 

shall offend them. The Lord preserveth all 

them that love him ; but all the wicked will he 

destroy. These things I command you, that ye 

love one another. Love worketh no ill to his 

neighbor : therefore, love is the fulfilling of the 

law. Behold what manner of love the Father 

hath bestowed upon us, that we should be 

called the sons of God. And we have known 

and believed the love that God hath to us. God 

is love ; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth 

in God, and God in him. There is no fear in 

love; but perfect love casteth out fear. He 

that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is 

love. 

SINGING.- A Duett. " God is Love." 

PURITY. 

A Recitation,— (Dress in White.) 
You've seen the lily of the fields 

With all its pure white leaves outspread, 
And oft a humble violet 

That seemed to bow its modest head : 

You've seen the countless stars at night, 
Flash light across the azure sea, 



18 SEVEN JEWELS. 

And thought that purer far than this 

Each bright and shining world might be : 

You've seen the golden gates of day 
Swing wide to let the sunlight down, ' 

After the stars had one by one, 

Dropped out of Night's fair jeweled crown : 

And children in life's sunny hours, 

All full of innocence and glee, 
Stray out among the fair white flowers, 

And fill the air with melody. 

More fair than any snow-white flowers, 
And brighter than the stars can be ; — 

The fairest gem that sparkles in 
Life's golden crown, is Purity. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

Subject.- PURITY. 

The words of the Lord are pure words ; as 
silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven 
times. The commandment of the Lord is pure, 
enlightening the eyes. Whatsoever things are 
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever 
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, 
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things 
are of good report ; if there be any virtue, and 
if there be any praise, think on these things. 
Let no man despise thy youth ; but be thou an 
example of the believers, in word, in conversa- 
tion, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 
Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see 
God. 

SINGING-—" Whiter than Snow." Calvary Songs, page 71. 
REM ARKS- By the Pastor. 

P0X0L0GY.— " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." 



% Sunbag j&jjool Control fertise. 



Children of God. 



By FRANK SWEET. 



" The Spirit itse]f beareth witness with our spirit, that we 
are the children of God." — Rom. 8: 16. 



Copyright, 1881, by Frank Sweet. 



#l®H§l§lt®#f 




Children of God 



SINGING.— " God Is My Father I Know." Silver Song, 
Page 101. 

READING— By the Superintendent. 

" Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt 
love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy : But I say 
unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse 
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for 
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. 
That ye may be the children of your Father which is 
in heaven : for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil 
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on 
the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what 
reward have ye ? Do not even the publicans the 
same ? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do 
ye more than others ? do not even the publicans so ? 
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is 
in heaven is perfect." — Matt. 5 : 43-48. 



CHILDREN OF GOD. 21 

Have three children stand on the platform, and with upraised eyes and 
clasped hands, repeat: — 

THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

" Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be 
thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done 
in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our 
daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive 
our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but 
deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory forever. Amen."— Matt. 
6: Q-13. 

SINGING BY THE CHILDREN.-" Our Father." Notes of Joy, Page 120. 

CHILDREN OF GOD. 

Reading.' 

" The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the 
children of God." 

Dark clouds sometimes around us lower, 
And hide the twinkling star of night ; 

But ever near, an unseen Power 
Can guide our wayward steps aright. 

We know He will forsake us never, 
If we trust Him and do His will ; 

His light and love that lasteth ever, 
Although we err, He gives us still. 

Fear not the swiftly coming morrow, 
But now, to-day, do well your part ; 

And you will strength and courage borrow, 
Which faith and hope alone impart. 



22 CHILDREN OF GOD. 

There is no use in sad repining : 
Press on with eye and spirit bright; 

The darkest cloud, its silver lining 
Is ever turning toward the light. 

Some days we know, are dark and dreary 
But yet 'tis true that " God is love,' 7 

And that he leads his children weary 
Up to the golden heights above. 

His unseen hand is ever guiding 
In earthly ways that are the best ; 

And children in his love abiding, 
He giveth peace, and quiet rest. 

Go cheerfully and do each duty ! 

So scatter light and joy abroad ; 
And in that world of fadeless beauty, 

You will be crowned, a child of God. 



CHILDREN OF GOD. 

Reading or Recitations. 

" I have said, Ye are gods ; and all of you are 
children of the Most High." — Psalm 82 : 6. 

"Let Israel rejoice in him that made him ; let the 
children of Zion be joyful in their King." — Psalm 
149 : 2. 

" Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in 
the Lord your God : for he hath given you the former 
rain moderately, and he will cause to come down 
for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain 
in the first month. And the floors shall be full of 



CHILDREN OF GOD. 23 

wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and 

oil." — Joel 2 : 2J, 24. 

" Blessed are the peace-makers : for they shall be 
called the children of God." — Matt. 5/ 9. 

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, 
that we are the children of God." — Romans 8 : 16. 

" And it shall come to pass, that in the place where 
it was said unto them, Ye are not my people ; there 
shall they be called the children of the living God." 
— Romans g : 26. 

SINGING.—" Of such is the Kingdom." Sparkling Rubies, Page 46. 

KIND WORDS. 

Recitation. 
First Scholar. 

" Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be accept- 
able in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer." 

Kind words are little things, 

Dropped in the heart's deep well, 

But O, the joy that from them springs, 
The blessed Lord alone can tell ! 

Within the trusting heart, 

They gleam like diamonds bright ; 

And there an unseen power impart, 
To lift it upward in the light. 

Second Scholar. 

Kind words win those who tread 

In all the ways of sin ; 
And lead them, as a Saviour led, 

Life's shining path to enter in. 



24 CHILDREN OF GOD. 

Kind words of truth and love 

Light up our earthly way, 
And lead through pearly gates above 

To the rich glow of heavenly day. 

OUR FATHER— Scripture Quotations. 

i. 

"Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the 

congregation : and David said, Blessed be thou, 

Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever." — 

1st Chron. 2g : 10. 

II. 

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be 
thy name." — Matt. 6 : p. 

in. 
"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called 
• to be saints : Grace to you, and peace, from God our 
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." — Romans i : y. 

iv. 
" One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and 
Father of all, who is above all and through all and in 
you all." — Eph. 4:5, 6. 

v. 
"Now unto God and our Father, be glory forever 
and ever." — Phil. 4: 20. 

OUR FATHER. 

O, thou eternal God ! divine, 
The only Source of life and light ; 
Creator of the stars that shine 
In all the azure depths of night ; 
Who made the angel hosts that fly 
Far from thy radiant throne on high, 



CHILDREN OF GOD. 25 

With joyous hearts, thy will to do ; 
And yet thou art our Father too. 

The summer flowers that bloom so fair, 
And deck like stars the dewy sod ; 
The golden hills, that seem to wear 
In harvest time, thy smile, O God ! 
The glory of the sunset skies, 
Whereon we gaze with wondering eyes ; 
And all rich gifts of thy good will, 
Teach us thou art our Father still. 

O Father ! for this form divine, 
That doth thy holy image wear ; 
And for this thirsting soul of mine 
That rises up to thee in prayer ; 
And for the spirit that from thee 
Completes the human trinity ; 
For all I am, or hope to be, 
The glory I will give to Thee. 

YOUR FATHER. 

Recitations by a Class. 
I. 
" Let your light so shine before men, that they may 
see your good works, and glorify your Father which 
is in heaven." — Matt. 5 : 16. 

11. 
" Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, 
to be seen of them ; otherwise ye have no reward of 
your Father which is in heaven." — Matt. 6 : 1. 

in. 

" If ye then, being evil, know how to give good 
gifts unto your children, how much more shall you 



26 CHILDREN OF GOD. 

Father which is in heaven give good things to them 
that ask him." — Matt. 7 ; 11. 

IV. 

" Love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, 
hoping for nothing again ; and your reward shall be 
great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest : for 
he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye 
therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." — 
Luke 6 : j>5, 36. 

v. 

" Fear not, little flock ; for it is your Father's good 
pleasure to give you the kingdom." — Luke 12 : 32. 

FAITH, HOPE, LOVE. 

Three blessed words I fain would write, 
Three words as with a diamond pen, 

In characters of golden light, 
Engraven in the hearts of men. 

Have Faith in God, and so draw near 
The Fount of blessings all divine ; 

And sweeter joys your life will cheer, 
And brighter will your pathway shine. 

Have Hope, it is an angel bright, 
That sweetly sings of endless joy ; 

And bears, upon her wings of light, 
The soul to bliss, without alloy. 

Have Love, that ever may increase ; — 
The richest boon to mortals given, 

It fills our path with perfect peace, 
And is the life and light of heaven. 



CHILDREN OF GOD. 27 

Faith, Hope and Love within the heart, 
Lift up the soul to heights above ; 

And all the sweetest joys impart, 
'Till faith and hope are lost in love. 

SINGING— "Star of Hope." Wreath of Praise, Page 9 = 

SONS OF GOD. 

Recitations. 
First Scholar. 

"When the morning stars sang together, and all 
the sons of God shouted for joy."— Job j8 : 7. 

Second Scholar. 

" But as many as received him, to them gave he 
power to become the sons of God, even to them that 
believe on his name." — jfohn 1 : 12. 

Third Scholar. 

" For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, 
they are the sons of God." — Romans 8 : 14. 

Fourth Scholar. 

" Behold what manner of love the Father hath 
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons 
of God." — 1st John j : 1. 

Fifth Scholar. 

" Beloved now are we the sons of God ; and it 
doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know 
that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for 
we shall see him as he is," — 1st John 3 : 2, 



28 CHILDREN OF GOD. 

OUR WORK. 

Reading, 

" Go work to-day in my vineyard." 

There's plenty to do 
In this world of ours, 

To garner the grain, 
And gather the flowers. 

There are countless fields 

That require our care, 
To pluck up the weeds 
That are growing there. 

There are lands to fence, 
There are trees to fell, 

On the hill-side steep, 
And down in the dell. 

There are trees to plant, 
There are vines to train ; 

We may sow and reap, 
On the hill and plain. 

There are homes to make, 
And houses to keep ; 

There are ships to sail, 
On the stormy deep. 

There are wounds to heal 
By the healer's art ; 

There is constant work 
In the world's great mart. 

There are feet to guide 
In the narrow way; 

And lessons to learn 
And to teach, each day. 



CHILDREN OF GOD. 29 

There are souls to lead 

From the ways of sin, 
And a crown of life 

In the heavens to win. 

There are songs to sing, 

In this world of ours, 
And garlands to weave 

Of the fairest flowers. 

There are hearts to cheer 

With the light of love, 
That' brightens the way 

To the world above. 

Earnest souls we need 

In darkness and light, 
With voices to plead 

For the true and right. 

There is work for all 

Good workers to do ; 
And thus there is work 

For me and for you. 

LIFE'S MISSION. 

Go search for Truth, until you find 
That priceless jewel of the mind ; 

A gem whose lustre far outshines 
The brilliant diamond from the mines. 

Then will the darkness turn to day; 
For Error's clouds shall flee away. 

And what now seemeth half concealed, 
In wondrous light will be revealed. 



30 CHILDREN OF GOD. 

Proclaim the Right, where'er thou art ; 
Of life's great work bear well thy part. 

And what thy conscience says is true, 
O, heed it well, be brave to do ! 

It is the zenith guiding star, 
To lead us where the angels are. 

Let Virtue round your pathway shine — 
It is eternal and divine. 

The darkness thus is cast aside, 
The soul is brightened — purified. 

Eternal progress is the plan, 

God's wisdom has designed for man. 

And while we do the Father's will, 
We are advancing higher still ; 

Upon the golden stairs that rise 
Up to the mansions in the skies ; 

And all who toil with purpose high, 
Will reach their summit by and by. 

" Truth, crushed to earth, will rise again ; " 
And Right shall rule the lives of men. 

And Virtue, loved and cherished more, 
Will shine upon the golden shore ; 

When life's grand mission here is done, 
And life's immortal crown is won. 

REMARKS -By the Pastor. 
COLLECTION. 

SINGING.—" The Lord is my Shepherd." Sparkling Rubies, Page 9. 



% SuniiaB jitjjool Cmtatt fecrtise. 



The Brightest Crown, 



By FRANK SWEET. 



" Blessed is the man that endureth temptation ; for when he 
is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath 
promised to them that love him." — James i : 12. 



Copyright, 188 1, by Frank Sweet, 




The Brightest Crown. 



SINGING.—" A Crown of Glory Bright." Wreath of Praise, 
Page 69. 

READING.— By the Superintendent, 1st chapter of James. 

PRAYER. 

THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 

Recitation. 

There is a crown for the monarch, 

A bright and jeweled crown ; 
Its band is wrought of finest gold, 

And some man of renown 
Has set its costly gems with care, 

That sparkle in the light : 
But weary are the. heads that wear 

Such crowns, however bright. 



THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 33 

There is a crown for the poet, 

In which the laurel twines ; 
A tribute of the highest praise 

For his sweet, thrilling lines : 
He thanks the blessed Father for 

His precious gift unbought ; 
For cheering light that flashes out 

From richest gems of thought. 

There is a crown for the Christian ; 

A glorious crown of life ; 
Won by his faith and noble deeds 

In earth's broad fields of strife ; 
Virtue and love and truth its gems, 

Whence rays of hope flash down, 
Outshining all earth's diadems; — 

This is the brightest crown. 

Supt. 

How are crowns to be won 2 

First Scholar. 

" I have fought a good fight, I have finished my 
course, I have kept the faith : Henceforth there is 
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the 
Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day ; 
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love 
his appearing." — 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8. 

Seco?id Scholar. 

" Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, 
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, 



34 THE BRIGHTEST CROWN, 

which shall come upon all the world, to try them that 
dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly, hold 
that fast which thou hast that no man take thy. 
crown." — Rev. j : 10, n. 



WORK FOR YOUR CROWN. 

Reading. 

For the Lord, go work to-day 
In His vineyard here below, 

And with loving heart alway, 
Scatter blessings where you go. 

Lo, the harvest fields are white, 
And the reapers still are few, 

While the sun is shining bright, 
There is work for all to do. 

Toiling with a purpose grand, 
You may win a golden prize, 

In that fair and happy land, 

'Neath the clear and smiling skies. 

Out among the springing flowers, 
Labor for your heavenly King ; 

Ever in life's golden hours, 
Unto Him the children bring. 



If you labor for the Lord — 

Winning souls by truth and love, 

He will give you rich reward 
In the heavenly land above. 



THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 35 

He will give you joy and light, 
Cheering all your earthly way ; 

And a home in mansions bright, 
Shining in the golden day. 

Where the radiant fields of heaven 

Are by blessed angels trod, 
Will the crown of life be given 

To each faithful child of God. 

SINGING.—" We'll Crown Them with Roses." Silver Song, Page 42. 

Supt. 

What crown does wisdom bring ? 

Scholar. 

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get 
wisdom : and with all thy getting get understanding. 
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee : she shall 
bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. 
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace : 
a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." — Prov. 
4' 7-9- 

SEEKING THE CROWN. 

Recitation by a Little Girl. 

I, a child with willing hands, 

Here would do the Lord's commands. 

And with willing feet each day, 
Try to walk in wisdom's way. 



36 THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 

I can give my sweetest love 
To the precious Lord above. 

And still do a better part— 
I can give to him my heart. 

For his precious gifts to me, 
I will try his child to be. 

When I say my evening prayer, 
I will thank him for his care. 

And will ask him for the light, 
Hereto guide my steps aright. 

For his mercies rich and free, 
Ever grateful I will be. 

And each day delight to raise 
Cheerful voice to sing his praise. 

Seeking in a land more fair, 
Such a crown as angels wear. 



SINGING— "Little Crowns in Heaven." Silver Song, Page 102. 

Sllpt. 

When will the crown of life and glory be given ? 

Scholar. 

"And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye 
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 
" Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a 
crown of life." — i Peter 5 : 4; Rev. 2 : JO. 



THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 37 

THE CROWN OF LIFE. 

Reading. 

Blessed are they who here endure 

Temptation's arts and wiles ; 
Who keep the heart and conscience pure, 

And gladden life with smiles. 

And blest are they who in the strife, 

Do noble deeds of love ; 
They shall receive the crown of life 

At God's right hand above.* 

On every side are powers that try 

To lead the soul astray, 
From paths that lead to worlds on high 

Where shines the perfect day. 

Gird on Truth's armor, while you may, 

To battle for the right ; 
And Hope will cheer your onward way 

With golden beams of light. 

O, be a hero in the strife 

Against the hosts of sin ! 
' Till angels at the gates of life, 

Shall say to you, " Pass in." 

And when you stand before the throne 

With blessed angels there ; 
A brighter crown than you have known, 

You may forever wear. 

And clad in robes all white as snow, 

May dwell forevermore ; 
Where flowers of fadeless beauty grow, 

Upon the golden shore. 



38 THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 

Supt. 

What crown did the Lord promise to his ancient 
people? 

Scholar. 

"In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a 
crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the 
residue of his people. For Zion's sake will I not 
hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not 
rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as bright- 
ness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burnetii. 
Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of 
the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy 
God." — Is a. 28 : 5 ; 62 : i,j. 

LIKE THE SUN. 

"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their 
Father." 

Then shall the righteous shine 

More glorious than the sun ; 
Far in that land divine, 

When life's bright crown is won. 

Crowned with unfading youth, 
They dwell in God's pure light, 

With angels, Love and Truth, 
Arrayed in garments white. 

With voices pure and sweet, 

They sing the angel's song; 
And walk the golden street 

With that immortal throng. 



THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 39 

Out from this world of sin, 

As stars go down the west, 
The pure ones enter in 

That kingdom of the blest. 

Forevermore they dwell 

Where summer blooms alway; 

And joys no tongue can tell, 
They share in endless day. 

Supt. 

How has the Lord crowned man ? 

Scholar. 

"O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in 
all the earth ! who hast set thy glory above the 
heavens. What is man, that thou art mindful of 
him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest him ? 
For thou hast made him a little lower than the an- 
gels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor." — 
Ps. 8:1,4,5. 

"WHY STAND YE HERE IDLE?" 

Recitation, 

Why stand ye idle all the day? 

The harvest fields are white, 
And all who reap, the Lord will pay, 

In yon fair world of light ; 
No gold or silver may be given, 
But life and light and joy in heaven. 

O, teach the children here below, 
To walk the shining way ; 



40. THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 

Till they the Father's love shall know, 

Nor from His precepts stray ; 
For all who do the Master's will, 
Shall dwell on Zion's holy hill ; 

Where that celestial city stands, 

Built up of mansions fair ; 
And wander o'er the heavenly lands 

With blessed angels there ; 
And if you work with love divine, 
A crown of glory shall be thine. 

SINGING— "The Harpers of God." Wreath of Praise, Page 108. 

Supt. 

What has the Lord promised to those who love him ? 

Scholar. 

" Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : 
for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of 
life, which the Lord has promised to them that love 
him." 



JEWELS FOR THE SAVIOR'S CROWN. 

"And they shall be mine, saiih the Lord of hosts, in that day when I 
make up my jewels." 

All those who love the Lord, 
With hearts all pure and free, 

Will share that rich reward, — 
His jewels they will be. 



THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 41 

Wherever they may go 

In this fair world of ours ; 
Blessings of peace shall flow, 

Like fragrance from the flowers. 

Joy blooms around their way, 

And love beams from the eye, 
Smiles light the face each day, 

And heaven seems more nigh. 

In every hour of need, 

They lend a helping hand, 
And prove a friend indeed, 

Wherever they may stand. 

They shine, while here below, 

Like stars that deck the sky ; 
But there more brightly glow 

In His rich crown on high. 



THEY SHALL SHINE. 

tl And they that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; 
and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." 

They will shine like the stars, 

Ever glorious and bright, 
All who lead erring ones 

In the pathway of right. 

As the firmament shines, 

In God's pure light above, 
They will shine, who on earth 

Taught his children to love. 



42 THE BRIGHTEST CROWN. 

Evermore they will shine 

In that land far away, 
Where the light of the Lord 

Makes the clear, perfect day. 

Like the skies at sunset 

When their splendors unfold, 

In their glory they shine 
In the city of gold. 

Golden crowns they will wear 
With their raiment of white, 

And sweet songs they will sing 
In the temple of Light. 

REMARKS BY THE PASTOR. 
COLLECTION. 

SINGING.—" Ye shall Shine as the Stars, ever Beautiful and Bright," Spark- 
ling Rubies, Page 100- 



% SWtag j&jjool €nmxt (Bmm. 



Precious Bible Promises. 



By FRANK SWEET. 



"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and preciou9 
promises." — 2 Peter 1 : 4. 



Copyright, 188 1, by Frank Sweet. 



Precious Bible Promises. 



SINGING.—" Resting on the Promises." Sparkling Rubies, 
Page 3. 

READING.— By the Superintendent, 7th chapter Matthew. 

PRAYER. 

THE BEATITUDES-Responsive. 

Leader. 

" Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven. " 

School. 

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be com- 
forted." 

Leader. 

" Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the 
earth." 



PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 45 

School. 

u Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after 
righteousness : for they shall be filled." 

Leader. 

" Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain 
mercy." 

School. 

u Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see 
God." 

Leader. 

" Blessed are the peace-makers : for they shall be 
called the children of God." 

School. 

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteous- 
ness s ake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

Leader. 

" Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and 
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil 
against you falsely, for my sake." 

School. 

' u Rejoice and be exceeding glad ; for great is your re- 
ward in heaven ; for so persecuted they the prophets 
which were before you." 

SINGING.-" He Doeth All Things Well." Wreath of Praise, Page 67, 
Supt. 

What blessings did the Lord promise to the children 
of Lsrael if they kept his commandments t 



46 PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 

Scholar. 

" And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken 
diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to 
observe and to do all his commandments, which I 
command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will 
set thee on high, above all the nations of the earth. 
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and over- 
take thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the 
Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, 
and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall 
be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be 
when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be 
when thou goest out." 

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak 
unto Aaron, and unto his sons, saying, On this wise 
ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto 
them, The Lord bless thee and keep thee : The 
Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious 
unto thee : The Lord lift up his countenance upon 
thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my 
name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless 
them." 



"THE LORD BLESS THEE, AND KEEP THEE." 

Reading, 

While the world may lead astray 
From the pure and shining way, 
This my earnest prayer shall be, 
While His blessings fall on me, — 
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 



PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 47 

If temptation you must bear, 
Lift your soul to God in prayer, 
That his hand your shield may be, 
Guiding when you cannot see, — 
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

When the silent shadows fall 
Over thee and over all ; 
'Till He bid the darkness flee 
From the land and from the sea, — 
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

While the Lord is ever near 
To the meek and lowly here, 
And his grace is given free, 
Still my fervent prayer shall be, — 
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

TEMPORAL BLESSINGS. 
Supt. 

What are some of the temporal blessings that the Lord 
has promised to those who do his commandments ? 

Scholar, or class in concert. 

" And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken 
diligently unto my commandments, which I com- 
mand you this day, to love the Lord your God, and 
to serve him with all your heart, and with all your 
soul ; That I will give you the rain of your land in 
his due season, the first rain, and the latter rain, that 
thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and 
thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for 
thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. Where- 
fore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judg- 



48 PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 

ments, and do them ; and ye shall dwell in the land 
safely. And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye 
shall eat your fill. If ye walk in my statutes, and 
keep my commandments, and do them ; Then I will 
give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield 
her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield 
their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the 
vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing 
time ; And I will give peace in the land." 

SINGING.-" He Shall Feed His Flock." Silver Song, Page 171. 

Supt. 

What special promises are given to those that over- 
come the world 2 

(Answers by members of a class.) 

First. 

" To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the 
tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of 
God." 

Second. 

" And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works 
unto the end, to him will I give power over the na- 
tions." 

Third. 

" To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the 
hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and 
in the stone a new name written which no man 
knoweth saving he that receiveth it." 



PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 49 

Fourth, 

" He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed 
in white raiment ; and I will not blot out his name 
out of the book of life, but I will confess his name 
before my Father, and before his angels." 



" To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with 
me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am 
set down with my Father in his throne." 

Sixth. 

" He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and 
I will be his God, and he shall be my son." 

Seventh. 

" Whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the 
world." 

Supt. 

What does the Lord promise to those that are wise, 
and turn many to righteousness ? 

Recitation, 

" They that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and 
they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." 

Go, lead the erring ones, 
In paths of truth and right ; 

And then a thousand suns 
Could never dim your light ! 

In many paths of sin 

Their weary feet have trod ; 

O, gently lead them in 
The shining ways of God. 



50 PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 

Teach them by truth and love, 

To lay sin's burden down ; 
And each will shine above, 

A jewel in your crown. 

They that be wise, will shine 

Among the sons of light, 
With glory more divine, 

Than golden stars of night. 

SINGING .— " Ye Shali Shine as the Stars." Silver Song, Page 53. 

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS. 
Supt. 

On what conditions are spiritual blessings promised '? 

" They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their 
strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; 
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk 
and not faint." " If my people, which are called 
by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and 
seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways ; 
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive 
their sin, and will heal their land." " Bring ye all 
the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be 
meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, 
saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the win- 
dows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that 
there shall not be room enough to receive it." 

" Cease to do evil ; learn to do well ; seek judg- 
ment ; relieve the oppressed ; judge the fatherless. 
Come now and let us reason together, saith the 
Lord : Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be 
white as snow ; though they be red like crimson, 
they shall be as wool." 



PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 51 

" Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am 
the light of the world : he that followeth me shall 
not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of 
life." 

Supt. 

What blessings are promised for good works ? 

Scholar. 

" Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? to loose 
the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, 
and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break 
every yoke ? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hun- 
gry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out 
to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou 
cover him ; and that thou hide not thyself from thine 
own flesh ? Then shall thy light break forth as the 
morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily ; 
and thy righteousness shall go before thee : the glory 
of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou 
call, and the Lord shall answer ; thou shalt cry, and 
the Lord shall say, Here I am." 

Supt. 

What has the Lord promised to those that give ? 

Scholar. 

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good 
measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and 
running over." 



52 PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 

GIVE. 

Recitation. 
" It is more blessed to give than to receive." 

If the hungry pass thy door, 
Give them of thy bread in store : 
Give them raiment if they need, 
And the Master will indeed, 
Crown the goodly life you live 
With more blessings than you give. 

Giving — is that " better part," 
Chosen by the pure in heart ; 
Keeping in the shining way 
Those whom want may lead astray ; 
Lifts them up to nobler life ; 
Makes them braver for the strife. 

Give the measure full and free,— 
It shall overflow to thee 
With true riches all untold ; 
Better far than gems or gold, 
When upon the blissful shore 
You abide forevermore. 

SINGING— "Ye Shall Shine Among His Jewels," Sparkling Rubies. Page 100. 

Supt. 

On what condition has God promised to give wisdom ? 

Scholar. 

" If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, 
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; 
and it shall be given him." 

Supt. 

When Solomon prayed for wisdom, what did the Lord 
promise, and give? 



PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 53 

■ 
Scholar. 

" And God said to Solomon, because this was in 
thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth 
or honor, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet 
hast asked long life ; but hast asked wisdom and 
knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my 
people, over whom I have made thee king : Wisdom 
and knowledge is granted unto thee ; and I will give 
thee riches, and wealth and honor, such as none of 
the kings have had that have been before thee, 
neither shall there any after thee have the like." 

Supt. 

To whom does God give wisdom ? 

Scholar. 

" God giveth to a man that is good in his sight, 
wisdom, and knowledge and joy." 

Supt. 

How are wisdom and knowledge and understanding 
given ? 

Scholar. 

" For to one is given by the Spirit the word of 
wisdom ; to another the word of knowledge by the 
same Spirit." 

" But there is a spirit in man ; and the inspiration 
of the Almighty giveth them understanding." 

Supt. 

Is wisdom and understandings source of happiness ? 

Scholar. 

"Happy is the man that flndeth wisdom, and the 
man that getteth understanding." " Understanding 
is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it." 



54 PRECIOUS BIBLE PROMISES. 

Supt. 

What are some promises of heavenly reward to those 
who do the commandments of God ? 

Scholar. 

"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, 
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that 
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. " 

" And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof ; 
but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 
" Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least 
commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be 
called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but who- 
soever shall do and teach them, the same shall be 
called great in the kingdom of heaven." 

"And when the chief .Shepherd shall appear, ye 
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that 
they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter 
in through the gates into the city." " And behold I 
come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give 
every man according as his work shall be." 

REMARKS.— By the Pastor. 

COLLECTION. 

Supt. 

" And the ransomed of the Lord shall return^ and 
come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon 
their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness, and 
sorrow and sighing shall flee away." 

ALL THE CONGREGATION SING. ''Beautiful Zion." 



% Concert ferrise. 



"GOD IS LOVE." 



By FRANK SWEET, 



"He that loveth not, knoweth not God ; for God is love." 

ist Joh.71 4: 8. 

Copyright, 1880, by Frank Sweet. 



Make an arch six or seven feet high, of boards six inches wide, and 
cover it with blue paper. Prepare letters of pasteboard, covered with gilt 
paper, to form the motto, — "God is Love." Distribute the letters to 
each of the children who take part in the acrostic exercise, and as each 
part is recited, secure the letter on the arch in its proper place, so that the 
motto may be complete. Arrange flowers on and beneath the arch in a 
tasteful manner. Decorating the church will also add to the interest of this 
exercise. 



GOD IS LOVE. 



READING. — 121st Psalm ; also John 1 : 1-13. 
PRAYER. 
SINGING. 
SCRIPTURAL ACROSTIC. . 

Class Recitations. 
' { rOD is a spirit, and they that worship him must wor- 

^ ship him in spirit and in truth. 
f\ come let us sing unto the Lord ; let us make a joyful 
^ noise to the Rock of our salvation. 
T\0 good unto all men, especially unto them who are of 
*J the household of faith. 

INCLINE your hearts unto the Lord God of Israel. 
CHOW me thy ways O Lord ; teach me thy paths. 

T ET your light so shine before men, that they may see 
^ your good works, and glorify your Father which 

is in heaven. 
A give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good : for his 
^ mercy endureth forever. 

VERILY, I say unto you, except ye be converted and 
V become as little children, ye shall not enter into 

the kingdom of heaven. 
"CVERY good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, 
^ and cometh down from the Father of lights." 



"GOD IS LOVE." 57 

"GOD IS LOVE." 

Recitation. 
When in Spring our Father's hand 
Clothes with beauty all the land ; 
At the early dawn of day, 
In and out the dewy spray, 
Countless voices seem to say — 
God is love. 

When this changeful world of ours 

Wears a lovely robe of flowers, 
And the clear and sparkling rills 
Sing adown the vine-clad hills ; 
This sweet song the spirit fills — 
God is love. 

These are words that light and cheer 
All the Christian's pathway here ; 
In the sacred book they shine 
With a glory all divine, 
And the purest hearts enshrine — ■ 
God is love. 

Out beneath the leafy bowers, 
Ever in the golden hours, 

Children whose young hearts are true, 

Sing this song forever new, 

And my heart is singing too — 
God is love. 

High in yonder realms of light, 

Clad in raiment pure and white, 
There in life's eternal spring, 
May we make the mansions ring 
With this choral angels sing — 
God is love. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

"GOD IS LOVE." 
" Behold what manner of love the Father hath 



58 "GOD IS LOVE." 

bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons 
of God. And we have known and believed the love 
that God hath to us. God is love ; and he that 
dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. 
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God ; 
and every one that loveth, is born of God, and 
knovveth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not 
God ; for God is love. Be perfect, be of good com- 
fort, be of one mind, live in peace ; and the God of 
love and peace shall be with you." 

0, SING OF HIS LOVE. 

A Class Exercise by Three Girls ; One to recite, and the Three together 
sing the Chorus. 

Recitation. 

We will sing of the love 

Of our Father above ; 

For the gifts he has given, 

And his promise of heaven. 

Chorus. 

To our Father above, 

For the gift of his love, 

Our glad voices we raise 

In a chorus of praise ; 

sing, sing of his love. 
Recitation. 

With the spirit we sing 

To our Savior and King ; 

With the heart and the voice, 

We praise him and rejoice. 
Chorus. 

Recitation. 

Golden radiance is shed 

On the path that we tread ; 

For the Lord makes it bright 

With a heavenly light. 
Chorus, 



First. 



"GOD IS LOVE." 59 

GOD IS GOOD. 

Recitations by Two Girls. 

Birds on dewy wings, 

In the solitude, 
By the forest springs, 

Carol — God is good. 

Sparkling drops of dew 

On the flowers strewed, 
Teach this lesson too — 

God is ever good. 

Second. 

While the summer strays 

Through the leafy wood, 
The soft wind-harp plays — 
God is ever good. 

And we hear it still, 

Where no cares intrude, 
For each sparkling rill 

Murmurs — God is good. 

Both in concert. 

Nature's gentle voice, 

Wisely understood, 
Ever says rejoice, — 

For the Lord is good. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

"GOD IS GOOD." 
" Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are 
of clean heart. O taste and see that the Lord is 
good : blessed is the man that trusteth in him. For 
the Lord is good ; his mercy is everlasting, and his 
truth endureth to all generations. The Lord is good 
to all ; and his tender mercies are over all his works. 
Praise the Lord ; for the Lord is good ; sing praises 
unto his name." 



60 "GOD IS LOVE." 

SINGING, — " God is Ever Good." Notes of Joy, page 89. 

LOVE OF GOD. 

Recitation. 
There is no love like the love of God, 

Which he gives to the children of men, 
Leading those back who have wandered abroad, 

To the bliss of his presence again. 

Far and wide over land and the sea, 
It goes on its mission day and night; 

Taking the proud heart, making it free 
As a temple for the Lord of light. 

How wonderful is his mighty love 

That triumphs over the powers of sin ; 

And lifts the soul to the gates above, 

Where the ransomed of the Lord pass in. 

In the bright sometime, our feet may stand 
On the street of the city of gold ; 

And we shall sing with the angel band, 
Of the love that can never be told. 

No gem will shine in the golden crown 
That saints may wear in the land above, 

With a ceaseless radiance flashing down, 
Like the wonderful jewel of love. 

"GOD IS LIGHT." 

Reading. 
O when the sun uprises bright, 
And floods the mountains o'er with light, 
And sends afar its brightest beams 
To gild the quiet valley streams, 
On every hill by Morning trod, 
We see the loving smile of God. 

The sunbeams flash along the hills 
And quiver on the sparkling rills ; 
They dance across the meadows bright, 



"GOD IS LOVE" 61 

And kiss the lilies pure and white ; 
They paint the roses red and gold, 
And earth is fairer to behold. 

The cheering sunlight gently falls 
Alike on cot and palace walls ; 
And toilers all alike can share 
The sunlight and the free pure air ; 
And this is but the outward sign 
Of inner life and light divine. 

The light and joy of gentle grace, 
Of loving heart and smiling face, 
And kindly word and deed each day, 
We all may scatter round our way ; 
And then our lives will flow along 
Like the sweet melody of song. 

The gift of love within the heart, 

Will ever peace and joy impart, 

Until the clouds above are riven, 

And we pass through the gates of heaven; 

Where no storm-clouds can ever stray 

But all is bright through endless day. 

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS. 

"GOD IS LIGHT." 
" The Lord is my light and my salvation. The 
sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for 
brightness shall the moon give light unto thee ; but 
the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and 
thy God thy glory. That was the true light, which 
lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the 
light of the world: he that followeth me shall not 
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 
This then is the message which we have heard of 
him, and declare unto you : that God is light, and 
in him is no darkness at all. And the city had no 
need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it ; 



62 "GOD IS LOVE" 

for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is 
the light thereof." 

SINGING, — "Let there be Light," Sparkling Rubies, page 4. 

GOD'S DWELLING PLACE. 

Recitation. 

" There is a happy land," — 

A sweet voice sang one day ; 
With mansions fair and grand ; 

Where joy abides alway. 

There is a city fair 

With streets all paved with gold ; 
And wealth of treasures there 

That never yet was told. 

And there a crystal stream 
Flows through the city bright, 

While crowns of glory gleam 
And flash in purest light. 

Upon that golden shore, 

Arrayed in robes of white, 
The good dwell evermore 

In pure and perfect light. 

Far from that happy land 

All errors flee away ; 
For only Truth can stand 

In God's supernal day. 

And there the lost are found, 
And know as they are known, 

And sing with angels round 
The glory circled throne. 

There with the angel band, 

With forms of matchless grace, 

They share the heavenly land — 
Our Father's dwelling place. 



"GOD IS LOVE." 63 

ANGELS OF GOD. 

Reading. 
" Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to' minister for them who 
shall be heirs of salvation?" — Heb. i : 14. 

From heaven above to earth below, 

There is a golden ladder thrown; 
Whereon the angels come and go, 

Though by the world at large unknown. 

Their smiles of joy we may not see 

In silent watches of the night ; 
But brighter will life's pathway be 

When comes the morning's rosy light. 

On noiseless wings they quickly bear 

Up to the Father's throne above, 
Each noble thought and earnest prayer, 

And bring again sweet peace and love. 

O, may we all while here be blest 
With service such as they can give ; 

And worthy of an angel guest, 
Learn how a noble life to live. 

And living thus, each one can claim 
Kinship with angels round the throne ; 

And have at last a bright new name 
Such as the Lord will give his own. 

The golden ladder ever stands ; 

And angels in their robes of white, 
Will bear above with gentle hands, 

Pure spirits to the Lord of light. 
SINGING.— " Let the Good Angels come in." Fresh Laurels, page 122. 

THE VOICE OF GOD. 

Reading. 
Far back in Eden's lovely bowers, 

Where Eve and Adam trod 
Among earth's fairest trees and flowers, 

They heard the voice of God. 



64 "GOD IS LOVE:' 

No more from out the Sinai cloud 

That ancient Israel saw, 
Amid its thunders long and loud, 

Does God reveal his law. 

We need not see the burning bush 
That greeted Moses' eye, 

Nor hear the mighty whirlwind rush, 
To know that God is nigh. 

Called from the vales of Bethlehem, 
The youthful David came 

To wear a royal diadem, 
And win immortal fame. 

Not often with the sign of fire 
The call of God is given ; 

And only once an angel choir 
Announced the Lord of heaven. 

Round Saul a light from heaven fell, 
He heard the Savior call, 

And did thenceforth the tidings tell 
How Christ had died for all. 

How often with the still small voice 
The call of God is given ; 

And bids us evermore rejoice 
With joy like that of heaven. 

For by His spirit now and here, 
He gives a pledge of good, 

As sure as when the Hebrew seer 
On Horeb's mountain stood. 

And in our very hearts he writes 
His laws with burning pen ; 

And with the star of Hope he lights 
His children now as then. 

Now we may feel those words of power 
That fell from tongues of fire ; 



"GOD IS LOVE:' 65 

And God's own spirit at this hour 
May all our hearts inspire. 

And evermore the trusting child 

Can hear the voice of God, 
That call in accents sweet and mild 

To paths by angels trod. 

It was His voice that Luther heard, 

In Error's darkest night ; 
Which at creation spake the word 

That filled the world with light. 

His voice did holy martyrs hear 

In rugged Alpine home, 
That banished every lingering fear 

Of all the powers at Rome. 

Hast thou not heard the voice of him 

Who calmed rough Galilee ? 
Sweet as the tones of Seraphim, 

Saying, — "Come unto me." 

Though you may never hear the wings 

Of angels passing by, 
Or see the messenger that brings 

Peace from the world on high ; 

Yet shall the Truth, with holy light, 

Flash through each earnest soul, 
Revealing to the spirit's sight 

Its work, and destined goal. 

" A still small voice " doth ever call 

In ways that Christ hath trod, 
And we should heed it, one and all, 

It is the voice of God. 

ON THE HILLS OF GOD. 

Recitation. 
There are hills beyond the river 
Glowing in eternal day ; 



66 "GOD IS LOVE." 

Where through all the bright forever, 
In white robes the angels stray. 

There the fields are always vernal, 
And the flowers ever fair ; 

And the pleasures are supernal 
That our Father's children share. 

Just beyond the pearly portals, 
In a city fair and bright ; 

There the ever blest immortals 
Dwell in God's eternal light. 

There the happy choirs are singing 
Strains of music soft and sweet, 

And the pleasant tones are ringing 
All along the golden street. 

In that land of song and story, 
By the feet of angels trod, 

We may share its bliss and glory 
On the shining hills of God. 

REMARKS. -By the Pastor, 
COLLECTION. 

SINGING.- " Nearer my God to Thee." 



% Jfloral Concert fetrrist 



1 u 



WERS OF GOD. 



By FRANK SWEET. 



"Consider the likes of the field, how they grow; they toil 
not, neither do- they spin ; and yet I say unto you that even 
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." — 
Matt. 6 : 28, 29. 



Copyright, 1880, by Frank Sweet. 



DECORATIONS. 



The church should be decorated with leaves, grasses, vines, plants and 
flowers, arranged in wreaths, festoons and bouquets, or in any other suitable 
manner that may be suggested. 

Build an arbor with an arched entrance, and trim it with small boughs, 
vines and flowers. Place two hooks on each side, and one over the centre 
of the arch, on which to hang the baskets, which are to be handed to the 
Superintendent at the close of each recitation, and by him put in their 
proper places. 







FLOWERS OF GOD 



SINGING— "Spring Carol " Notes of Joy, page 169. 

READING. 
" Lo the winter is past, the rain is over and 
gone ; the flowers appear on the earth ; the time of 
the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the 
turtle is heard in the land ; the fig-tree putteth forth 
her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape 
give a good smell." 

PRAYER. 

FLOWERS OF GOD. 

Recitation, by a young lady hold'ng- a bouquet of flowers. 
How beautiful the earth now seems, 

Arrayed with flowers sweet and fair ; 
Along the marge of singing streams 

They bloom in stately glory there ; 
And close beside the dusty street, 

They deck like stars the dewy sod, 
And make the gentle zephyrs sweet — 

The bright and fair young flowers of God. 

They sport with every playful breeze 

And lift their heads to kiss the light ; 
And give their treasures to the bees 

That toil when day is warm and bright ; 
They gleam upon the mountain's brow, 

And to each passing wind they nod ; 
They smile with queenly beauty now — - 

The pure and lovely flowers of God. 



70 FLOWERS OF GOD. 

They speak to us of love divine 

That clothes the lilies of the field'; 
And every where these beauties shine, 

Our Father's goodness is revealed. 
There is a land, not far away, 

Where only angel feet have trod; 
In fadeless glory there for aye 

They shine, immortal flowers of God. 

SINGING.-" Make A Garland For The Savior," Sparkling Rub ! es, page 34. 

FLOWERS, LEAVES AND FRUITS. 

Recitations. 
i. Basket of Flowers. 

"As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower 
of the field, so he flourisheth. He cometh forth like 
a flower, and is cut down : he fleeth also as a shad- 
ow and continueth not. All flesh is as grass, and 
all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. 
The grass withereth, the flower f adeth • because the 
Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it." — Ps. ioj : IJ; 
Job 1 4 : 2 ; Is. 40 : 6, 7. 

Beautiful flowers, sweet and fair 
With richest fragrance scent the air ; 
And in the fields and meadows bright, 
Lift up their heads to kiss the light. 

2 . Basket of Roses. 

"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be 
glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blos- 
som as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and 
rejoice even with joy and singing. I am the rose of 
Sharon and the lily of the valleys." — Is. jf : z, 2 ; 
Song of Solomon, 2:1* 

The Summer would not be complete 
Without the roses, rich and sweet; 
The world with radiant beauty glows, 
Since deserts blossom as the rose. 



FLOWERS OF GOD. 71 

j. Basket of Lilies. 

" Consider the lilies of the field ; they toil not, 
neither do they spin ; and yet I say unto you that 
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like 
one of these." — Matt. 6 : 28, 2g. 

Do not these lilies white and fair, 

Teach us our Father's love and care ? 

May each one, while these flowers we see, 

A lesson learn of purity. 

4. Basket of Leaves. 

" And by the river, upon the bank thereof, on this 
side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, 
whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit 
thereof be consumed : it shall bring forth new fruit 
according to his months. The leaves of the tree 
shall be for the healing of the nations." — Jer. 47: 
12 ; Rev. 22 : 2. 

Now every tree and plant and flower 

An emerald crown doth wear ; 
And for our use a mystic power 

These leaves of healing bear. 

5. Basket of fruit. 

" Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; but a 
corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Wherefore by 
their fruits ye shall know them. And he showed me 
a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceed- 
ing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In 
the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the 
river, was there the tree of life, which bear twelve 
manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month." 
— Matt. 7 : 17, 20; Rev. 22 : 1, 2. 

For precious fruits and lovely flowers, 

We praise our Father up above : 
These glories of the Summer hours 
Are the rich treasures of his love. 



72 FLOWERS OF GOD. 

SINGING —A duet, " Evergreen Mountains of Life," Silver Song, Page 22. 

BEAUTIFUL. 

Recitation, 
" He hath made everything beautiful in His time." — Eccles. 3 : 11. 

Beautiful world is this of ours, 
Beautiful trees and beautiful flowers ; 
Beautiful mountains clad in green, 
Beautiful vales that lie between ; 
Beautiful lakes and beautiful seas, 
Beautiful flowers that scent the breeze ; 
Beautiful sun with golden light, 
Beautiful stars that crown the night ; , 
Beautiful birds that flit and sing, 
Beautiful fruits the seasons bring; 
Beautiful rivers flow along, 
Beautiful brooks with ceaseless song; 
Beautiful herds upon the hills, 
Beautiful grass beside the rills ; 
Beautiful children that I love, 
Beautiful heaven up above ; 
Beautiful there in endless Spring, 
Beautiful ones that love to sing ; 
Beautiful flowers that never fade, 
Beautiful all the Lord has made ; 
Beautiful city, streets of gold, 
Beautiful home of joy untold ; 
Beautiful angels robed in white, 
Beautiful temple, God its light ; 
Beautiful is that better land, 
Beautiful walls around it stand ; 
Beautiful rivers ever flow, 
Beautiful trees beside them grow. 
Beautiful there life's shining goal, — 
O, beautiful home of the soul ! 



FLOWERS OF GOD. 73 

THE LITTLE MAIDEN. 

Reading. 

A little maiden, sweet and fair, 
With sunny brow, and golden hair, 
With ruby lips, and sparkling eyes 
Of brighter azure than the skies — 
I met one day. 

Her heart was full as it could be 
Of youthful innocence and glee ; 
While with elastic step she trod 
Among the fair, young flowers of God, 
Where she was queen. 

The robe of purity enshrined 
Her lovely form and noble mind ; 
And angels in their home above, 
Could give no sweeter, richer love 
Than she bestowed. 

How little then she seemed to know 
Of this wide world of sin and woe ; 
For these could have no counterpart 
Within her pure and cheerful heart, 
All full of song. 

My hand upon her head I laid, 
And in my inmost soul I prayed — 
That God would bless her youthful days, 
And fill her life with love and praise, 
And give her peace. 

And grant to her an angel guide, 
To shield from ill on every side ; 
And teach her in the days of youth 
To love the Lord, and love His truth, 
Through endless years. 



74 FLOWERS OF GOD. 

That in the sometime, she may stand 
With feet upon the golden strand, 
Arrayed in shining robes of white, 
Where fadeless flowers kiss the light 
Of endless day. 

I did not pray for her alone ; 
From my full heart, before the Throne, 
I prayed that all might seek His face, 
And taste the riches of his grace, 
And share his love. 

That all the straying ones might find 
Content of heart and peace of mind ; 
And live by faith and deeds of love, 
And in our Father's house above, 
Secure a home. 

Where ever grow immortal bowers, 
And ever — blooming, fadeless flowers 
Enrich with sweetness all the air, 
Where all celestial spirits share 
The love of God. 

GARDENS. 

When Eden in its beauty stood 

With fruits and flowers arrayed, 
And all things very fair and good 

Our blessed Lord had made ; 
That surely was the brightest day 

Our changeful earth has seen, 
Before the Tempter led astray 

Earth's first and fairest queen. 

The garden of Gethsemane, 
Where Jesus prayed and wept 

Over the world's inconstancy, 
While his disciples slept, 

Will be a place to memory dear 
In sorrow's darkest night; 



FLOWERS OF GOD. 75 

And like a star, life's pathway cheer 
Until the morning light. 

But in a fairer land than this, 

The Lord of light has made 
A garden rich with choicest flowers 

That nevermore will fade. 
There ever flows life's sparkling stream 

Beside the streets of gold ; 
And all the smiling land doth gleam 

With glories never told. 

And every month the trees of life 

Rich fruits immortal bear ; 
And not a thought of sin or strife 

Disturbs the dwellers there : — 
The fairest spot of all the lands 

That angels ever trod, 
Enrobed in splendor, ever stands 

The Paradise of God. 

WHAT I LOVE. 

Class Recitations. 
ist Scholar, 

I love the birds that sweetly sing, 

I love the meadows clad in green, 
I love the beautiful flowers of Spring, 
Tiie violets with eyes serene. 

2nd Scholar, 

I love the world so fair and bright, 

Clothed with a scented robe of flowers, 
With hues of purple, gold and white, 

That shine in Summer's sunny hours. 

jd Scholar. 

I love to see the golden sun 

That gives the earth its heat and light , 
I love the stars, and count each one 

A jewel in the crown of Night. 



76 FLOWERS OF GOD, 

4th Scholar. 

I love in early morning hours 

To walk in gardens bright and fair, 

When dew-drops sparkle on the flowers, 
And breathe the sweetly-scented air. 

$th Scholar. 

I love the precious fruits and flowers, 
And all the scenes of light and shade, 

The smiling fields and leafy bowers, 
I love all things that God has made. 

SINGING — " The Summer Land." Sparkling Rubies, Page 70. 

UNSEEN FLOWERS. 

Recitation. 

There are many unseen flowers 
That the richest sweets impart; 

Blooming in this world of ours, 
In the gardens of the heart. 

Dews of love upon them fall, 
And their petals open wide, 

Giving sweetness unto all 

In the homes where they abide. 

Every heart that bears a flower, 
Makes the world a brighter place ; 

Wields a sceptre every hour 

That a kingly hand might grace. 

They with wondrous beauty shine 
In their robes of gold or white ; 

Breathing in the soul divine, 

Heavenly hope and joy and light. 

May these lovely flowers grow, 
And their blessings rich impart ; 

Brightening with heavenly glow, 
Sweetly blooming in each heart. 



FLOWERS OF GOD. 77 

THE BEAUTIFUL RAIN. 

Recitation, 

O the rain, the beautiful rain 

That falls on mountain, hill and plain, 

And wakes the flowers to life again. 

Brilliant pearls for a transient hour, 
Bedeck each tiny leaf and flower, 
Unfolding them with mystical power. 

It lays the dust along the street 
Where the tread of a thousand feet 
Echoeth to its presence sweet. 

It is the hallowed power that seems 
To give new life to singing streams 
That sparkle in the noonday gleams. 

How oft the genial showers of rain 
Refresh the countless fields of grain, 
And clothe the hills with flowers again. 

And oft a fresh baptism may 

Wash the dust from their hues away, 

Keeping them pure and bright alway. 

And so the Spirit doth impart 
New life and light to every heart, 
And every soul where'er it art. 

JUNE FLOWERS. 

Reading. 

I wandered forth one afternoon, 

When birds and brooks were all in tune, 

To cull the lovely flowers of June. 

The meadows all were fair and bright, 
Where daisies shone in gold and white, 
And bathed their hues in crimson light. 



FLOWERS OF GOD. 

The violets, with lovely eyes, 

Seemed to look forth with glad surprise 

To greet the azure of the skies. 

Sweet roses by the wayside grew, 
Arrayed in glistening pearls of dew, 
With their bright colors shining through. 

Do not these flowers everywhere, 
In smiling beauty, fresh and fair, 
Show us our Father's love and care ? 

And can we not some lesson learn 
Of wisdom we should never spurn, 
Whichever way our eyes may turn ? 

Do they not teach of hope and trust, 
Of treasures that will never rust, 
While blooming lowly in the dust ? 

May each one learn some truth divine, 
From all the lovely flowers that shine, t 
Although they give no word or sign. 

One lesson, wisely understood, 

The radiant flowers in field and wood 

Are teaching now — that God is good. 

In every path that we have trod, 
Where fairest flowers deck the sod, 
Rejoicing, we have "walked with God." 

REMARKS. 
COLLECTION. 

SINGING .- " The Land to which we go." 



% SMtag J&JjmI €tmttt feeuk. 



God's Ministering Angels. 



By FRANK SWEET. 



" Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister 
for them who shall be heirs of salvation ? " — Hebrews i : 14. 



Copyright, 188 1, by Frank Sweet. 




God's Ministering Angels. 



SINGING.— "Angel Voices." Silver Song, Page132. 
READING.— By the Superintendent, 1st chapter of Hebrews. 

PRAYER. 

Supt. 

What mission have the angels in God's plan of sal- 
vation ? 

Scholar. 

" But to which of the angels said he at any time, 
sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy 
footstool ? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent 
forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salva- 
tion ?" — Hebrews i : zj, 14. 



GOD'S MINISTERING AAGELS. 81 

MINISTERING ANGELS. 

Reading. 

Our God of love, 

From realms above, 
Sends forth his angels bright ; 

When we are sad, 

To make us glad, 
And fill our lives with light. 

They bring us joy, 

Without alloy, 
From yon fair world of peace ; 

And pure delight 

By day and night, 
That nevermore may cease, 

They gladly come 

From their bright home, 
To serve their Heavenly King; 

And here below, 

To hearts of woe, 
The balm of healing bring. 

On stairs like gold, 

With joy untold, 
The angels come and go, 

That everywhere, 

Our Father's care, 
His children here may know. 

If in our need, 

We daily heed 
The lessons that they teach, 

We may obtain 

The highest plain 
That human souls can reach. 



82 GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 

That we may know, 
While here below, 

What glorious gifts to prize, 
The Lord has given 
His Truth from heaven, 

To guide us to the skies. 

And lest we stray 

Out of His way, 
The Holy Spirit calls 

To homes of love 

And light above, 
Within the jasper walls. 

When we in heaven, 
With sins forgiven, 

With seraph hosts appear, 
With one accord 
We'll praise the Lord, 

For angel visits here. 



SINGING.-" My Angel Name." 

Supt. 

What promises of angelic protection has God given to 
his children ? 

Scholar. 

" The angel of the Lord encampeth round about 
them that fear him, and delivereth them." — Psalm 
34>'7- 

" For he shall give his angels charge over thee to 
keep thee in all thy ways." — Psalm pi : ii. 



GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 83 

Sufit. 

How did God send Moses to be a ruler and a deliverer '? 

Scholar. 

" This Moses, whom they refused, saying, who 
made thee a ruler and a judge ? the same did God 
send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the 
angel which appeared to him in the bush. This is he 
that was in the church in the wilderness with the 
angel, which spake to him in Mount Sinai, and with 
our fathers : who received the lively oracles to give 
unto us."— Acts 7 .• J5, 38. 

ANGEL OF HOPE. 

While smoothly glide life's early hours, 

Hope comes with sunny brow and sparkling eyes, 

And paints with brighter hues the flowers, 
And richly tints the golden skies. 

She paints the future wondrous fair, 

With singing birds and singing streams, 

Above, around, and everywhere, 

The clearest noon-tide splendor gleams. 

No shadows fall across her way, 

On every side the fields are bright, 
And all who have beheld her, say, 

" She is an angel crowned with light." 

No flowers fade beneath her feet, 

Or rosy cheeks of beauty fade ; 
The balmy air is pure and sweet, 

And Summer blooms in glen and glade. 



84 GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 

By this good angel from above, 

Life's brightest guiding star is given ; 

And leading on by faith and love, 
Is lost in the full blaze of heaven. 

SINGING— "Angels are Waiting." Sflver Song, Page 146, 

Supt. 

Please mention some of the Bible accounts of deliver-* 
ance by the angels sent to the children of Israel. 

First Scholar. 

"The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, 
bless the lads." — Gen. 48 : 16. 

Second Scholar. 

"Behold' I send an angel before thee, to keep thee 
in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I 
have prepared." — Ex. 23 : 20. 

Third Scholar. 

" And the angel of God, which went before the 
camp of Israel, removed and went behind them." — 
Ex. 14: 19. 

Fourth Scholar. 

" And when we cried unto the Lord, he heard our 
voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth 
out of Egypt." — Num. 20 : 16. 

Fifth Scholar. 

" In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the 
angel of his presence saved them." — Isaiah 63 : p. 

"There is joy in the presence of the angels of God 
over one sinner that repenteth." — Luke 15 : JO. 



GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 85 

WHEN ANGELS COME. 

Reading, 
When angels come from sunny shores 

Of realms far o'er the silent sea, 
Where an excess of glory pours 

The streams of gladness full and free, 
And tell of brighter homes and blest, 
May each one be a Welcome guest. 

A guest that often comes unsought, 
To lure our hearts from earth and sin, 

With scenes too grand for human thought, 
Of that fair land they wander in, 

With purer streams and sweeter flowers, 

And grander life than this of ours. 

O, may we welcome them in love ! 

As messengers from God's high throne, 
Sent down from that pure world above, 

To teach us, we are not alone ; 
That e'en the humblest here may share 
The riches of his love and care. 

When Day's last purple smile doth rest 
On hill and plain, and stream and wood, 

And thoughts, the purest and the best, 
Rise to the Giver of all good ;— 

Open the heart's strong gates with prayer, 

And let good angels enter there. 

O, welcome those whom God has sent 

As ministers to us in need ! 
And bowing 'neath the Cross, repent 

Of every evil word and deed ; 
And when our sins are all forgiven, 
The angels will rejoice in heaven. 

SINGING— "Let the Good Angels Come In." 



86 GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 

Supt. 

Please give some other accounts of deliverance by angels. 
First Scholar. 

" My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the 
lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me : forasmuch 
as before him innocency was found in me ; and also 
before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." — Dan. 
6 : 22. 

Second Scholar. 

" And when they were departed, behold, the angel 
of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying : 
Arise and take the young child and his mother and 
flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee 
word : for Herod will seek the young child to de- 
stroy him." — Matt. 2 : ij. 

Third Scholar. 

" And behold the angel of the Lord came upon 
him, and a light shined in the prison ; and he smote 
Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying: Arise 
up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and 
bind on thy sandals : and so he did. And he said 
unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow 
me. And he went out and followed him, and wist 
not that it was true which was done by the angel ; 
but thought he saw a vision. When they were past 
the first and second ward, they came unto the iron 
gate, that leadeth unto the city, which opened unto 
them cf his own accord : and they went out, and 
passed on through ; and forthwith the angel departed 
from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he 



GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 87 

said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath 
sent his angel and hath delivered me out of the hand 
of Herod, and from all the expectation of the Jews." 
Acts 12 : 7-1 1* 

Fourth Scholar. 

— " But the angel of the Lord by night opened the 
prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, 
stand and speak in the temple to the people all the 
words of this life." — Acts 5 : 19, 20. 

Fifth Scholar. 

" And now I exhort you to be of good cheer : For 
there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, 
but of the ship. For there stood by me this night 
the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 
saying, Fear not, Paul ; thou must be brought before 
Caesar : and lo, God hath given thee all them that 
sail with thee." — Acts 27 : 22-24. 



TWO ANGELS. 

Recitation. 

"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones ; for I say unto you, 

that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father 

which is in heaven." — Matt. 18 : 10. 

One was a father's darling : 

A bright and noble boy, 
Whose very heart and spirit 

Were full of light and joy : — 
An angel came to him one day, 

Down from the world above, 
And took the little child away 

To endless lisrht and love. 



88 GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 

One was a mother's cherub, 

A fair and lovely girl, 
Whose forehead shone with beauty 

Beneath each clustering curl ; 
With rosy cheeks, and eyes of light, 

Bright was the path she trod ; 
But angels came, in robes of white, 

And took her home to God. 

And now they are His angels, 

In that pure home on high ; 
And roam that land of beauty, 

Beneath a cloudless sky : — 
Sweet was the love they did impart 

Ere they had gone abroad ; 
But O, they left within the heart 

The loving smile of God ! 

SINGING.—" The Angels will Welcome us Home." Silver Song, Page 118. 
Supt. 

By whom was the birth of Christ announced ? 

Scholar, 

"And there were in the same country shepherds 
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by 
night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon 
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about 
them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said 
unto them, Fear not ; for, behold, I bring you good 
tidings of great joy ; which shall be to all people. 
For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a 
Savior, which is Christ the .Lord. And suddenly 
there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly 
host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the 
highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 
—Luke 2 : 8-1 1 ; also, fj, 14. 



GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 



First. 



Second. 



Third. 



Fourth. 



Fifth. 



ANGELS OF LIGHT. 

RECITATIONS— By class of Girls, dressed in white. 

Angels of light ! 

In robes of white, 
Come near in morning hours ; 

And through the day 

Watch o'er bur way 
Amid the springing flowers. 

When golden light 

From stars of night, 
To this dark world is given ; 

O, be thou near 

The children here, 
And keep them pure for heaven ! 

Your strength impart 

To every heart, 
And keep it free from sin ; 

Till up above 

To homes you love, 
Each one may enter in. 

And when we come 

To your bright home, 
We'll love you more and more, 

While straying there 

In fields so fair, 
Upon that golden shore. 

Then clad in white 

Where all is bright, 
With voices sweet and clear, 

Close by the Throne, 

Praise Him alone 
Who sent His angels here. 



90 GOD'S MINISTERING ANGELS. 

"PRAISE YE HIM ALL HIS ANGELS." 

Recitation. 

O angels bright, 

In robes of white, 

A happy band 

At God's right hand, 
With tuneful voice and harps of gold, 
Loud let the Savior's praise be told ; 
Till all the azure arches ring 
With glory to the heavenly King. 

For mansions grand 

In that bright land ; 

For crowns ye wear 

In glory there 
For those rich gifts that God has given — 
The light and love and bliss of heaven — 
All ye that walk the shining ways, 
Lift up your voices now with praise. 

Sing of his love 

In courts above, 

In choral lays 

Proclaim his praise, 
'Till every saint and angel brings 
A tribute to the King of Kings : 
With your sweet voices in accord, 
Give praise and glory to the Lord. 

REMARKS.-Bythe Pastor. 
COLLECTION. 

SINGING — " I want to be an Angel." 



% fatperana Cuntert 



SPARKLING WATER. 



By FRANK SWEET. 



" And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little 
ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily 
I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." 

Matt. 10 : 42. 



Copyright, 1880, by Frank Sweet. 



SPARKLING WATER. 



SINGING. 
RESPONSIVE READING.- 23rd Psalm. 

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : He lead- 
eth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul : he leadeth me in the paths 
of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow 
of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me : thy 
rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence 
of mine enemies ; thou anointest my head with oil ; 
my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness a?id mercy shall follow me all the 
days of my life ; a?id I will dwell in the house of the 
Lord forever. 

PRAYER. 



SPARKLING WATER. 93 

GOOD TEMPLARS' INVITATION. 

Recitation (presenting a glass of water). 

Come, take this water pure and free ; 

'Tis better than all drinks beside ; 
And pledge your word that it shall be 

Your only drink, all else denied. 

Nature distilled the crystal draught ; 

With cloud, and air, and golden sun : 
A better drink was never quaffed, 

And will not be till time is done. 

It sparkles down the mountain side, 

And sings along a pebbly bed; 
This wine of peace, a crystal tide, 

Flows down when nightly dews are shed. 

Come for the rosy glow of health 

Is one of your rich treasures now ; 
Resolve no wine shall take the wealth 

Of brilliant eye, and radiant brow. 

Then will the music of the streams, 

That wafts so sweetly on the air, 
Bring to your spirit bright day-dreams, 

And all the world will seem more fair. 

Your path will shine in clearer light, 

Where pleasures beam with golden hue ; 

And clouds above will seem more bright, 
That fill health's chalice full for you. 

Come, while joy sparkles in your way, 
Bright as the brooklet's spray at even, 

And hope will give a silver ray 

To brighten all your path to heaven. 

SINGING.— "Sparkling Water." Silver Song, page 63. 



94 SPARKLING WATER. 

RECITATIONS. 

By a class of Boys and Girls. 
Boy : — 

" Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and 
whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Who 
hath woe ? who hath sorrow ? who hath contentions ? 
who hath babbling? who hath wounds without a 
cause ? who hath redness of eyes ? They that tarry 
long at the wine ; they that go to seek mixed wine." 

Girl:— 

Look not on the wine bubbling up 
Giving its color in the cup; 
Bright and beautiful to the eyes — 
So it often deceives the wise, 
With its rich and changeful hue, 
Sparkling like the morning dew. 

Boy:— 

'" It is not the will of your Father which is in 
heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 
Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see 
God." 

Girl: — 

Hour by hour, and day by day, 

Do the Father's will alway, 

Striving to be pure in heart, 

Bidding every sin depart ; 

Then you will his blessings share, 

Here, and in the mansions fair. 
Boy :— 

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long- 
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, 
temperance; against such there is no law/' 



SPARKLING WATER, 95 



Girl:— 



Fruit of the Spirit we would bear, 
Of love, joy and peace everywhere ; 
With temperance in all ounways, 
Lifting our hearts in grateful praise 
To our dear Father up in heaven, 
For the rich blessings he has given. 

TAKE THE SPARKLING WINE AWAY. 

Recitation. 

Go ye to the forest spring, 

Where the bright birds sweetly sing, — 

Bring me water pure and bright, 

For it fills the eye with light; 

'Tis the best — in childhood's hour, 

'Tis the best — in love's bright bower, 

'Tis the best — in manhood's prime, 

And will be — throughout all time. 

Purest water bring to me, 
Flowing from the fountain free, 
'Tis a gift of priceless worth, 
To the good and pure of earth ; 
Bring me water pure and bright, 
Sparkling in the liquid light, 
Only this and I will say — 
Take the sparkling wine away ! 

Bring me water, for I know 
'Tis the source of beauty's glow ; 
Free to all, it brightly gleams 
In a thousand crystal streams, 
Dashing on the rocks their spray, 
Singing all the golden day ; 
Bring me this, and I will say — 
Take the sparkling wine away. 



96 SPARKLING WATER. 

WATER AND WINE. 

Recitations by a Boy and Girl. Provide two glasses of water, on a stand 
near by, to be drank just before reciting the last stanza. 

Boy:— 

God hath made the sparkling water 

Flowing onward to the sea ; 
For each smiling son and daughter, 

It is plenty, pure and free. 



Girl:- 



Boy:— 



Girl :- 



Man has made the wine that borrows 
From the sun its ruddy glow ; 

Wine that fills the heart with sorrows, 
Luring down to depths of woe. 

God sends out the streamlets singing 
Where the dews of heaven fall ; 

Ever joy and gladness bringing, 
To the loving hearts of all. 



Man sends out the streams that carry 
Swift destruction where they flow; 

They who at the wine-cup tarry, 
Down to ruin soon may go. 

Both in concert : — 

Sow drink the crystal water, 

Ever bubbling from the springs ; 
'Tis a purer, richer nectar, 

Than the ancient wine of kings. 

For it giveth health and pleasure 
To the child of humble birth ; 

And it is a priceless treasure, 
To the noblest queen of earth. 

SINGING.- 'The Crystal Spring;" Song of Joy, page 119. 



SPARKLING WATER. 97 

A PLEA FOR TEMPERANCE. 

Reading. 

Fathers, while yet you have control 
Of your fair sons, teach them the soul 
Was destined for a shining goal ; 
That all the gifts of earth are given, 
To fit the soul for life in heaven. 

Teach them to shun the ways of shame, 
That often bring an honored name 
Down from the starry heights of fame ; 
Teach them to shun the cup of woe, 
And dens of vice where drunkards go. 

You see the mighty tempter stand 
With sparkling wine-cup in his hand, 
To lure your sons to join his band ; 
And often with his potent spell, 
He leads to woes no tongue can tell. 

In many paths he sets a snare 
To catch the youthful and the fair, 
And drag them down to dark despair ; 
So millions more than records show, 
Are ruined by this mighty foe. 

With ruthless hands he rends in twain 
The golden links of love's bright chain, 
And thrills the purest hearts with pain ; 
He takes away the children's bread, 
And gives them hate and scorn instead. 

In halls of revelry he goes 

Where wine and money freely flows, 

And with a burning stream of woes 



98 SPARKLING WATER. 

He often fires the heart and brain, 
With sad remorse and fiercest pain. 

Defiantly he takes his stand 
Where'er he will in all the land, 
The shaft of death is in his hand ; 
And often when his arrow flies, 
Prostrate the man of wisdom lies. 

Kind Mothers, let your prayers ascend, 
A helping hand to all extend, 
And with God's grace, each be a friend 
To those who need your tender care ; 
And life's true riches you will share. 

Make wisest use of tongue and pen 

To mould the children into men, 

Till Eden's glory comes again ; 

And earth, redeemed by blood and tears, 

Holds jubilee a thousand years. 

Press on in phalanx true and strong 
Against the marshalled hosts of wrong, 
With earnest work and prayer and song, 
And never think your mission done, 
Until the victory is won. 

Use all your power in church and state, 
And home's sweet joys you can create, 
For this one purpose good and great — 
To save the young; and your reward 
Be endless glory with the Lord. 

Young men, the prophet wisely said — 
" Look not on wine when it is red ; " 
Now heed those words, lest you are led 
Out of the pure and narrow way, 
And miss the 'gates of endless day. 



SPARKLING WATER. 99 

Learn lessons from the book of Truth, 
And keep its counsels in your youth, 
And ever bear, through wrong and ruth, 
That priceless gift to mortals given — 
The Light which cheers the way to heaven. 

Gird on each day your armor bright, 
And go forth at the morning light, 
To battle for the true and right ; 
O, be a hero in the strife 
And you will gain a crown of life. 

Let one and all join heart and hand ; 
Be strong and true, a valiant band ; 
Drive Freedom's foe from our fair land; 
And then America will be 
In very truth — land of the free ! 



BROTHER, COME HOME, 

Recitation by a Young Lady ; the last line of each stanza to be sung. 

Would I could send my voice to thee 
Where'er thou art; 

That its sweet tones of melody 

Might win thy heart — 
Brother, dear brother, come home. 

Cheerless is home when thou art gone, 

We know not where ; 

And fond hearts at early dawn, 

Send out this, prayer- — 
Brother, dear brother, come home. 



100 SPARKLING WATER. 

And still, when comes the eventide 

We miss thy voice ; 

If thou again with us abide 

We shall rejoice ; — 
Brother, dear brother, come home. 

Come to thy home of early days 

With its fair bowers, 

And all its pleasant garden ways 

Now sweet with flowers - 
Brother, dear brother, come home. 

Come to the circle of thy home, 

O brother dear, 

Thou couldst not longer love to roam 
If thou wert here — 
Brother, dear brother, come home. 



"THE LIVING WATER." 

Recitation. 

A woman of Samaria came 

To araw from Jacob's well ; 
When these words, on her listening ear, 

In stranger accents fell : — 

" Give me to drink " — the Savior said, 

As she the water drew ; 
When she replied — " why ask of me 

A drink? thou art a Jew." 

" If thou hadst known the i gift of God ' 

And asked a drink of me. — 
The ' living water/ " then he said, 

" I would have given thee. " 



SPARKLING WATER. 101 

A crystal streamlet ever flows 

Down from the unseen shore ; 
And they who love its waters clear, 

Drink deep and thirst no more. 

Those healing waters ever flow 

Into the heart's deep well ; 
And all the joy and peace they bring, 

No mortal tongue can tell. 



SINGING,—" The Water of Life." Fresh Laurels, page 50. 

VICTORY OF TEMPERANCE. 

Recitation. 

The day is very near at hand, 

When joy will reign through all the land ; 

The glorious day, 

For which we pray, 
When all mankind will wisely learn 
The drunkard's cup of woe to spurn. 

Its holy light is shining now 
Upon the eastern mountain's brow ; 

The skies of blue 

Reflect eacl\ hue, 
The clouds and all the crystal streams 
Catch the fast-ushering, golden beams. 

Awake, arise, ye slumbering souls, — 
The car of Progress onward rolls ; 

While scoffs and jeers 

By prayers and tears 
Are overcome, the rising sun 
Will soon proclaim the victory won. 



102 SPARKLING WATER. 

Would you have part in this grand strife ? 
The struggle for a nobler life : 

Then bravely stand 

With heart and hand 
Strong for the right ; help deal the blow 
That lays the mighty monarch low. 

Send out the voice of strong command 
On wings of lightning through the land, 

And rally all 

Who hear the call, 
And put the foe of Freedom down ; 
Then each shall wear a victor's crown. 



REMARKS— By the Pastor. 
COLLECTION. 

ALL THE CONGREGATION SING, " Beautiful River," 



% j&mkg Stljool Conmi ferrise. 






By FRANK SWEET. 



" There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the 
city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most 
High."— Ps.46: 4. 

Copyright, 1880, by Frank Sweet. 




The Beautiful City of God. 



SINGING- "The City of God." Wreath of Praise, Page 8. 

READING.— 21st chapter of Revelation, by the Superin- 
tendent. 

PRAYER. 

THE CELESTIAL CITY. 

There is a city bright and fair, 

With streets of shining gold ; 
Where saints and angels ever share 

Its wealth and bliss untold. 

Eye hath not seen the glorious things 

God keeps for us in store ; 
Or seen the loving Hand that brings 

Us blessings from that shore. 

No darkness clouds that better land, 

Where God himself is Light ; 
And all who walk the shining strand, 

Are clad in robes of white. 



THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD. 105 

Up to that world of light and joy, 

The Holy Spirit calls ; 
To peace and bliss, without alloy, 

Within the jasper walls. 

The vernal fields and radiant skies, 

Retain their brightness there ; 
While sweet perfumes of flowers rise 

To scent the heavenly air. 

O, blessed land of light divine ! 

O, land of song and dreams ! 
We long to see thy glories shine, 

And tast thy crystal streams. 

Soon we may pass those gates of light 

On wings of faith and prayer ; 
And in that land forever bright, 

Its golden pleasures share. 



THE BEAUTIFUL GATE. 

A Recitation. 

There's a beautiful gate at the close of this life, 

And it leads to the land of the blest ; 
Where the weary may pass from their labor and strife 

And there find the sweet solace of rest; — 
For the noble and good, a kind angel doth wait 
' Till they come to the beautiful gate. 

There the loved ones remain who have gone on before, 
And they dwell in the mansions of light ; 

Or they wander at will on the evergreen shore 
Now arrayed in their garments of white ; 

All the pure ones of earth, either early or late, 

Entered in at the beautiful gate. 



106 THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD. 

And we know we shall meet one another again 

In that city whose streets are of gold ; 
And there sing the glad song of the angels, and then 

We shall share in their pleasures untold ; 
And there worship the Lord, with the angels that wait 
For us all at the beautiful gate. 

Shall we have a new ?iame i7i Heaven ? 

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the 
Spirit saith unto the Churches ; To him that over- 
cometh will I give to eat of the hidden manner, and 
will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new 
name written, which no man knoweth saving he that 
receiveth it. 

MY ANGEL NAME. 

A Recitation, 

In that fair land of love and truth, 
That wears the glow of endless youth ; 
Where fadeless beauty ever roves 
Amid the bright, immortal groves • 
Where sweeter voices wake the strains, 
That echo o'er celestial plains, 

Where no shadow ever came — 

What will be my angel name. 

When cares and toils of earth are o'er, 
I catch the gleam of shining shore, 
And nearer view, in perfect light, 
A sinless band in robes of white — 
Will they, the blest of holier birth, 
Who welcome there the loved of earth — 

Will they greet me with the same, 

Or another, brighter name. 



THE BE A UTIFUL CITY OF GOD. 107 

O, not the one they call thee now ! 
While care and thought may change the brow, 
And while ye hope, aspire and pray 
For light to cheer the perfect way, 
That leads across the crystal sea, 
Where Glory's crown awaiteth thee, — 
Sweeter far, than earth may claim, 
There will be thine Angel Name. 

SINGING.— " The Spirit's Welcome." Wreath of Praise, page 68. 

( May be sung as a duet, with a full chorus. ) 

How came heaven into existence ? 
"In the beginning God created the heaven and 
the earth." — Gen. I : I. 

What does the Bible say about the third heaven as 
paradise ? 

" I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years 
ago (whether in the body I cannot tell, or whether 
out of the body I cannot tell : God knoweth) such 
an one caught up to the third heaven, and I knew 
such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body 
I cannot tell : God knoweth) ; how he was caught up 
into paradise and heard unspeakable words which it 
is not lawful for a man to utter." 

Does the Bible teach us that the works oj creatio?i are 
not complete ? 

" For behold, I create new heavens and a new 
earth • and the former shall not be remembered nor 
come into mind. Nevertheless, we according to his 
promise, look for new heavens and a new earth 
wherein dwelleth rip&t^ousness. — Is. 65 : 17 ; 2 Pet. 
3- 13 



108 THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD. 
HOME. 

"O joy, this world is not our home." 

Though loving friends may greet us here, 

Our path be bright through all the year, 

And richest gifts while here below, 

Our Father may on us bestow ; 

Still to each soul a hope is given 

For something high and pure as heaven. 

Though wealth may throw a dazzling blaze 

Of glory round our early days, 

And ever in life's golden prime 

Give what the world may call sublime ; 

Yet all such bliss, and all such joy 

Must bear the stain of deep alloy. 

I know full well, as others know, 

The Christian's home is not below, 

But in a fairer world above, 

Where dwelleth light and truth and love; 

There Hope, bright angel, bids me roam 

And claim forevermore — a Home ! 

SINGING— "0 had I wings like a dove." Sparkling Rubies, Page 65. 

EVERMORE. 

Class Recitation, 
1st Scholar: — 

How sweet 'twill be to meet again 

When earthly cares are o'er, 
The loved ones on the heavenly plain, 

To dwell there evermore. 



THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD. 109 

2nd Scholar : — 

And sweeter far, when God's own hand 

Shall wipe our tears away ; 
And lead us in the promised land — 

To be his own for aye. 

jd Scholar : — 

And sweet the joy, when mansions fair 

With brighter eyes we see ; 
And know our home with blest ones there 
Is evermore to be. 

4th Scholar: — 

There with a bright immortal throng, 

We'll roam celestial plains ; 
And sing with joy, a glad " new song," 

In purest, sweetest strains. 

$th Scholar : — 

And there, in raiment pure and white, 

We'll walk the radiant shore, 
That shines in God's own perfect light, 

With angels evermore. 

What does the Bible say of a better country ? 

" By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out 
into a place which he should after receive for an 
inheritance, obeyed ; and he went out, not knowing 
whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land 
of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tab- 
ernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of 
the same promise : For he looked for a city which 
hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 
But now they desire a better country, that is, a 
heavenly : wherefore God is not ashamed to be 
called their God : for he hath prepared for them a 
city." 



110 THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD. 
"A BETTER COUNTRY." 

There is a land that shines forever, 

In golden light of endless day; 
Where not a shadow passeth ever, 

Forbidden o'er that land to stray. 

And there the trees of life are growing. 
Whose leaves are for the nations' cure ; 

Beside perpetual waters flowing 

Like liquid diamonds, bright and pure. 

There sweet jDerfumes of flowers ever 

Waft on the soft, inspiring air ; 
And sweetest music rings forever 

From the angelic choirs there. 

There dwell in peace the blest immortals, 
Where skies are always clear and bright; 

And all who pass the pearly portals, 
Shine forth as golden stars of light. 

And there the fields are always vernal, 
Where perfect love and truth abide ; 

And we may share the joys supernal 
Forever with the glorified. 

SINGING - " Beautiful Land on High." Silver Song, Page 35. 

JOY OF HEAVEN. 

Scripture Recitations 

" O Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle ! who 
shall dwell in thy holy ' hill ! He that walketh up- 
rightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the 
truth in his heart. In thy presence is fullness of joy ; 
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." 



THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD. \\\ 

" And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and 
come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon 
their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness, and 
sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Likewise, I say 
unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels 
of God over one sinner that repenteth." 

" Thou hast made known to me the ways of life ; 
thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, 
and to present you faultless before the presence of 
his glory with exceeding joy ; To the only wise God 
our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and 
power, both now and ever." 

NEARER HOME. 

I'm nearer Heaven, my home, today 

Than I have been before ; 
Nearer the angel bands that stray 

Across the golden shore. 

Nearer the city grand and fair, 

My Father's house on high ; 
Nearer the many mansions where 

No clouds can veil the sky. 

Nearer the shining jasper walls, 

Nearer the robes of white ; 
Nearer the throne of Him who calls 

Up to that world of light. 

Nearer a land more fair than this, 

Where fadeless flowers shine ; 
Nearer the realm of endless bliss. 

Prepared by hands divine. 



112 THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD. 

Nearer the open, pearly gate, — 

I lay my burden down, 
To do my Master's work, and wait 

Till he bestows the crown. 



SINGING.— " Home of the Soul," Notes of Joy, Page 71, 

What must we do to become heirs of the everlasting 
kingdom ? 

"Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted 
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into 
the kingdom of heaven." 

" He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and 
I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Blessed 
is the man that endure th temptation ; for when he is 
tried he shall receive a crown of life, which the Lord 
hath promised to them that love him." 

" Blessed are they that do his commandments, 
that they may have right to the tree of life, and may 
enter in through the gates into the city. And the 
Spirit and the bride say Come. And let him that 
heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst 
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water 
of life freely." 

TREASURES IN HEAVEN. 

" Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." 

Not silver, gold nor jewels rare, 
Or large estate of fruitful lands, 

Car ever be our treasures there 

In that grand house not made with hands. 



THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD. 113 

But dearer far than gems or gold, 
Are the rich stores of joy and love ; 

Such treasures are not bought or sold, 
Yet each can lay them up above. 

Peace and good-will and friendship true, 
Freely received and freely given, 

With every noble deed we do, 

Help make our treasures up in heaven. 



MANSIONS. 

" In my Father's house are many mansions." 

There are mansions, fair and bright, 
In a world of endless light : 

In a city grand and fair, 
Where no sorrows enter there. 

And within its jasper walls, 
Not a shadow ever falls : — 

Earthly mansions may not be 
Homes for those of low degree ; 

But in that fair world on high, 
While eternal years go by ; 

All the pure ones tarry there, 
In the mansions bright and fair. 

Or they roam the fields of light, 
Robed in garments pure and white. 

Where Life's crystal waters flow, 
And unfading flowers grow. — 

Time is passing fast away, 
Hour by hour, and day by day. 



114 THE BEAUTIFUL Ci/TV OF GOD. 

May each moment as it flies, 
Bring us blessings fr/ om the skies ; 

Making all our pathway bright, 
Till we reach that a0 me of light ; 

There to dwell in mansions fair, 
Which a Savior \7ill prepare.— 

Love to God ancl love to man, 
Is life's true airj noble plan ; 

Lighting up with loving deeds, 
All the vale of human needs ; 

Leading out .rom want and woe, 
All the weary ones below : — 

Thus and only thus, we rise 
To the mansions in the skies. 

REMARKS BY THE PASTOR. 
COLLECTION. 

SINGING-" Shall we meet beyond the river?" 



3Utomnal Concert ferrise. 



o 



The Harvest Crown. 



By FRANK SWEET. 



4 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness." 

Psalms 65 : 11. 



Copyright, 1880, by Frank Sweet. 



DECORATIONS. 



The church should be decorated with corn and wheat, leaves and flow- 
ers and fruits. Letters to form 

"THE HARVEST CROWN," 
may be cut from pasteboard and covered with leaves and flowers, and ar- 
ranged in a semi-circle on the wall in an appropriate place, or on an arch 
prepared for the purpose. Scripture mottoes suitable for the occasion, may 
be displayed on banners, or on the walls of the church, at the pleasure of 
the superintendent. A crown, composed of leaves, grain and flowers, may 
be suspended from the ceiling over the desk, on which is placed the open 
Bible. 




THE HARVEST CROWN. 



SINGING.— "What shall the Harvest be." 

SCRIPTURE READING.— 104th Psalm, 15 verses. 

PRAYER. 

THE HARVEST CROWN. 

Recitation. 

Look forth upon the harvest field, 
Where reapers bind the yellow grain, 

And see the crown of wealth revealed 
Upon the hill-side and the plain ! 

The wide-spread fields of tasseled corn 
Now ripen in the golden sun ; 

Wealth pours from Autumn's lavish horn 
Until the harvest work is done. 

The orchard boughs are bending low 
With luscious fruitage large and fair ; 



118 THE HARVEST CROWN. 

And all the gentle winds that blow 
Drink their aroma rich and rare. 

The woods are in their glory now, 
With robes of crimson, gold and red ; 

And from each gently swaying bough, 
Leaves fall to deck the path we tread. 

While harvest days are warm and bright, 
And plenty fills our hearts with cheer ; 

We give thanks to the Lord of light, 

Who with his goodness crowns the year. 

SOWING.— Scripture Quotations. 

" Sow the fields and plant vineyards, which may 
yield fruits of increase. In the morning sow thy 
seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand ; for 
thou knowest not whether shall prosper, this or that, 
or whether they both shall be alike good. Blessed 
are they that sow beside all waters. Behold the 
fowls of the air : for they sow not, neither do they 
reap nor gather into barns \ yet your heavenly Father 
feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they ? " 

SOWING. 

Work while the day is glowing ; 

Patiently do your part ; 
Good seed in Spring-time sowing 

Deep in the trusting heart. 

Scatter the seeds of kindness, 

As germs of golden grain ; 
The Lord so rich in goodness, 

Will give the sun and rain. 



THE HARVEST CROWN. 119 

And weary not, my brother, 

If storms around thee sweep ; 
Rejoice, if yet another 

What thou hast sown, may reap. 

Safe in the Father's keeping, 

The precious seed will grow ; 
Though strangers do the reaping, 

God blesses those who sow. 

Sow now for life eternal, 

Let good deeds be your prayer, 
And in the land supernal 

The harvest you will share. 

SINGING.-" Scatter Seeds of Kindness." 



AUTUMNAL GLORY. 

Recitations by Three Little Children, 

Now the Artist of the Autumn, 
Touches with a master's hand, 

Every tree that makes the forest, 
With his colors rich and grand. 

2nd Child : — 

Shades of purple, gold and russet, 
Brightest tints of red and green ; 
All the woods are crowned with splendor 
Such as summer has not seen. 

jd Child: — 

Choicest fruits, with cheeks of crimson, 
'Neath the sun are ripening now : — 
O, the treaures of the Autumn, 
Like rich jewels, crown his brow ! 



1st Child : 



120 THE HARVEST CROWN. 

THE LITTLE SEED. 

Deep in a crevice of a rock, 

A seed borne by the winds once fell, 

Beyond the reach of rain and sun, 
It lay in its dark prison cell. 

Year after year storms beat above, 
Until by frost the rock was rent ; 

And then, the sunlight streaming in, 
New life unto the seed was sent. 

And then expanding into life, 
A hundred tiny seeds it bore, 

That in their seasons blossom forth 
In desert places evermore. 

So we may drop the seeds of truth, 
Into some trusting heart each day ; 

That in the golden fields of life, 
Will grow in beauty there for aye. 

How glorious will life's fruitage be, 
When all will gladly do their part ; 

Then joy and peace and love divine, 
Will bloom like roses in the heart. 



SOWING AND REAPING. 

Recitation. 

We are sowing seed in the morning light ; 
We are sowing seed when the sun shines bright ; 
We are sowing seed in the soft twilight : — 
What will the harvest be ? 



THE HARVEST CROWN. 121 

If we sow the seeds of our richest thought, 
And then fill our lives with but good deeds wrought, 
We shall know the Father's hand falters not ; — 
Rich will the harvest be. 

But if evil thoughts and like deeds we sow, 
Scattering far and wide only seeds of woe ; 
When life's autumn comes, we shall surely know, 
Sad will the harvest be. 

Sow the word of Truth down deep in the heart ; 
Scatter light and joy wherever thou art ; 
Of life's noble work, if you do your part, 
Grand will the harvest be. 

Remember the good seed only to sow ; 
Scatter love and hope as you onward go ; 
And ever beneath the rich Autumn glow — - 
Sweet will the harvest be. 

SOWING AND REAPING— Scripture Quotations. 

" They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Sow to 
yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy. They 
that plow iniquity and sow wickedness, reap the 
same. For they have sown the wind, and they shall 
reap the whirlwind. He that soweth sparingly shall 
reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bounti- 
fully shall reap also bountifully. And let us not be 
weary in well-doing : for in due season we shall reap 
if we faint not. Be not deceived ; God is not 
mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he 
also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of 
the flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the 
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." 



122 THE HARVEST CROWN. 

SINGING— '"lis Harvest Time." Wreath of Praise, Page 84. 

PRAY FOR REAPERS. 

Reading. 

The fields of the Lord are white, 
Stretching far across the plain ; 

With your sickles keen and bright, 
Go and reap the golden grain. 

Give the gleaners work to do ; 

For the laborers are few ; 
And pray for reapers 
In the harvest of the Lord. 

Songs of gladness you may sing, 

Through the long bright hours of day, 

And with joy at evening bring 
All the gathered sheaves away : 

Bring the thousands that await 

Close to heaven's golden gate ; 
And pray for reapers 
In the harvest of the Lord. 

Some have fallen by the way; 

Others weary, faint of heart ; — 
By your words and works each day, 

Hope and joy and strength impart ; 
Whether reaping grain or flowers, 
Ever till the sunset hours, 
Pray for the reapers 

In the harvest of the Lord. 

Pray for reapers, till they come 
Clothed with power from on high, 

Toiling for God's Harvest Home 
In the realms beyond the sky; 



THE HARVEST CROWN, 123 

Till the sowers there are blest, 
And the weary reapers rest, — 
Pray for the reapers 
In the harvest of the Lord. 

When the angel reapers come 

To the fields where we have wrought, 

Calling to our heavenly home, 
After patient toil^and thought ; 

May all have, instead of leaves, 

A rich store of golden sheaves ; 
For we are reapers, 
In the harvest of the Lord. 

(Answers to be given by different Classes.) 
Supt. — What promise did the Lord give his people 
concerning the harvest ? 

Ans.— "While the earth remaineth, seed-time and 
harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, 
and day and night shall not cease." — Gen 8 : 22. 

Supt. — What commandment did the Lord give the 
children of Israel about six years of sowing and 
reaping, and the seventh year as a Sabbath of rest 
to the land ? 

Ans. — " Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and 
six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather 
in the fruit thereof ; but in the seventh year shall be 
a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the 
Lord • thou shalt neither sow thy field nor prune thy 
vineyard. That which groweth of its own accord of 
thy harvest, thou shalt not reap, neither gather the 
grapes of thy vine undressed ; for it is a year of rest 
unto the land." — Lev. 25: j, 4,5. 



124 THE HARVEST CROWN. 

Supt. — What did Jesus say to his disciples about 
the spiritual harvest ? 

Ans. — "Then saith he unto his disciples, the har- 
vest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few : 
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he 
will send forth laborers into his harvest." — Matt, g : 
37,3%. 

Supt. — What did he say about the time of the 
harvest ? 

Ans. — " Say not ye, there are yet four months and 
then cometh the harvest : behold I say unto you, 
lift up your eyes and look on the fields ; for they are 
white already to harvest. And he that reapeth 
receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal." 
— John 4: 35,36- 

Supt. — When is the harvest to be complete ? 

Ans. — " The harvest is the end of the world ; and 
the reapers are the angels." — Matt 13 : 39. 

ONLY A GLEANER. 

Now the harvest fields are whitening 

Afar on either hand, 
And the Autumn skies are brightening 

With beauty o'er the land. 

After the reapers have gathered 

All of the golden sheaves, 
Out of all the world's great harvest, — 

Is nothing left but leaves ? 



THE HARVEST CROWN. 125 

Nothing but leaves for me to gather 

On life's far-reaching plain ; 
Full well I know by patient seeking, 

I find some golden grain. 

And I follow close to the reapers, 

Gleaning the precious wheat; 
Rich treasure for the Master's garner 

Up by the golden street. 

I glean among the tares and thistles 

All through the shining day, 
Rejoicing at the evening twilight, 

To bear some sheaves away. 

Only a gleaner in life's harvest 

Is all I hope to be ; 
Assured, that when the Master cometh, 

He will " remember me." 



SINGING— "Where hast thou gleaned today?" 

PRAISE GOD FOR THE HARVEST. 

Recitation. 

" Praise ye the Lord : for it is good to sing praises 
unto our God. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem ; 
praise thy God, O Zion. He maketh peace in thy 
borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat." 

Give thanks unto our Father 

Whose goodness crowns our days ; 

With hearts all full of gladness, 
Lift up the voice with praise. 



126 THE HARVEST CROWN. 

O, thank Him for the harvest 
Of corn, and oil and wine ; 

And praise the Lord forever, 
For blessings more divine. 

O, praise him for priceless treasure, 
For blessings from above ; 

And give, in largest measure, 
An offering of love. 

REMARKS BY THE PASTOR. 
COLLECTION. 

SINGING,- " Work for the Night is coming." 




% j&mba]] Stljool Coiiteri (femse. 



Thanksgiving and Prais 



By FRANK SWEET. 



" Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts 
with praise. — Ps. 100 : 4. 



Copyright, 188 1, by Frank Sweet. 



Thanksgiving and Praise. 

SINGING.—" Praise God for the Gift of His Son." Sparkling 

Rubies, Page 88. 

READING. -148th Psalm. 

PRAYER. 

PRAISE THE LORD. 

Reading. 
O, praise the Lord ! his children here ; 

Sing praises to his name, 
While he with goodness crowns the year, 

Let us his praise proclaim. 

O praise him, all ye stars of night ! 

And praise him sun and moon ; 
While we praise him for life and light, 

With hearts in joyful tune. 

O praise him all ye vales and hills ! 

Praise him ye mountains grand ; 
Praise him, O sweetly singing rills ! 

All works of his own hand. 

And praise him, gentle rain and snow, 

From flying clouds above ; 
Praise him all creatures here below 

For boundless light and love. 

Praise him ye angel choirs on high ; 

Ye saints and seraphs too ; 
Fill all the temple of the sky 

With songs forever new. 

Strike all your tuneful harps of gold, 
And wake their sweetest strains ; 

And let your grateful praise be told 
In all the heavenly plains. 

Praise him for all the gifts ye share, 

That he in love has given ; 
To him give all the glory there, 

Ye shining hosts of heaven ! 



THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. 129 

REASONS FOR PRAISE. 

Leader. 

" Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, 
my lips shall praise thee." 

School. 

" I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise 
thy name for thy loving-kindness, and for thy truth." 

Leader. 

" Praise the Lord'; for the Lord is good." 

School. 

" O that men would praise the Lord for his good- 
ness, and for his wonderful works to the children of 
men ! " 
Leader. 

" Thou crownest the year with thy goodness ; and 
thy paths drop fatness." 

School. 

" They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness ; 
and the little hills rejoice on every side." 

Leader. 

" The pastures are clothed with flocks ; the valleys 
also are covered over with corn." 

School. 

" He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee 
with the finest of the wheat." 

Leader. 

" The Lord is good to all ; and his tender mercies 
are over all his works." 

School. 

" Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the de- 
sire of every living thing." 



O BE JOYFUL IN GOD. 

SOLO, DUET, AND CHORUS. 
Words by Frank Sweet. Music by J. Hamilton. 

^ Solo, mf cres. dim. 



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132 THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. 

SWEETEST PRAISE. 

Recitation. 

O, sweet the sound of harps above, 

When happy angels touch the strings ; — 

But sweeter far, when filled with love, 
A ransomed soul of Jesus sings ! 

O, sweet the songs of happy choirs, 
Where blest immortal spirits dwell ; — 

But sweeter those, that love inspires, 
A Savior's dying love to tell ! 

O, sweet the music of the spheres, 

That fills the glorious arch of heaven ; — 

But sweeter far, after the tears, 

The songs of praise for sins forgiven ! 

SINGING.-" Hark, what mean those Holy Voices?" Sparkling Rubies, 
Page 155. 

EXHORTATIONS TO PRAISE. 

Leader. 

" Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctu- 
ary : praise hirn in the firmament of his power." 

School. 

" All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord ; and thy 
saints shall bless thee," 

Leader. 

" Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem : praise thy God, 
O Zion." 

School. 

" Praise ye the Lord, give thanks unto the Lord ; 
for he is good." 

Leader. 

" Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous ; for praise 
is comely for the upright." 



THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. 133 

School. 

" Sing forth the honor of his name } make his 
praise glorious." 

Leader. 

" O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice 
of his praise to be heard." 

School. 

" Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into 
his courts with praise : be thankful unto him and 
bless his name." 

Leader. 

" Praise ye the Lord : for it is good to sing praises 
unto our God." 

School. 

" Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new 
song, and his praise in the congregation of saints." 

Leader. 

" O give thanks unto the Lord : call upon his 
name : make known his deeds among the people." 

School. . 

" It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, 
and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High." 

Leader. 

" Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving : sing 
praise upon the harp unto our God." 

School. 

" O come let us sing unto the Lord ; let us make 
a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us 
come before his presence with thanksgiving, and 
make a joyful noise unto him with psalms." 



PRAISE GOD. 



Words by Frank Sweet. 
Moderate. 



Music by J. H. 



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3 For Thy mercies rich and free, 
Life and light and liberty, 
Lord we give all praise to Thee : — 
Praise God, praise God, praise God, 
From whom all blessings flow. 



THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. 135 

Leader. 

" Hear, O ye kings : give ear, O ye princes : I, 
even I, will sing unto the Lord ; I will sing praise to 
the Lord God of Israel." 

School. 

" So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, will 
give thee thanks forever : we will show forth thy 
praise to all generations." 

Leader. 

" I will praise the Lord according to his righteous- 
ness ) and will sing praise to the name of the Lord 
Most High." 

School. 

" We will praise the name of God with a song, and 
will magnify him with thanksgiving." 

Leader. 

" I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live : I 
will sing praise to my God while I have my being." 

School. 

" My praise shall be of thee in the great congre- 
gation : I will pay my vows before them that fear 
him." 

Leader. 

" I will bless the Lord at all times : his praise 
shall continually be in my mouth." 

School. 

" And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness, 
and of thy praise all the day long." 

Leader. 

" I will praise thee, O Lord, with all my heart ; 
and I will glorify thy name forevermore." 



" PRAISE YE HIM ALL HIS ANGELS." 



Words by Frank Sweet. 
Light and joyful. 



Music by J. Hamilton. 




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Loud let the Saviour's praise be told ; Till 

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the heavenly King. 



2 For mansions grand 
In that bright land ; 

* For crowns ye wear 
In glory there; 
For those rich gifts that God has given, 
The light and love and bliss of heaven; 
All ye that walk the shining ways, 
Lift up your voices no w« with praise. 

3 Sing of His love 
In courts above : 
In choral lays 
Proclaim His praise; 

'Till every saint and angel brings 
A tribute to the King of kings, 
Let your sweet voices in accord, 
Give praise and glory to the Lord. 

2nd verse the tenor sings " For crowns in glory there." 






THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. 137 

THANKSGIVING. 

For this world of wealth and beauty, 

That Thou hast made for man ; 
For his work of love and duty, 

Part of Thy gracious plan ; 
For the lights along the valley 

Where willing toilers plod ; 
For the glory on the mountains, — 

I thank thee, O my God ! 

For the beauty of the spring-time 

That smiles on hill and plain ; 
For the floods of golden sunlight, 

And gentle dew and rain ; 
For the wealth of waving forests 

Whose depths are yet untrod ; 
For the grand and lofty cedars, — 

I thank thee, O my God ! 

For the mine's deep hidden treasures 

Of silver and of gold ; 
For the heart's rich store of pleasures 

That never can be told ; 
For the trees that crown the mountains, 

And flowers that deck the sod ; 
For the flowing, crystal fountains,— 

I thank thee, O my God ! 

For a thousand singing streamlets 

That sparkle in the light ; 
For the countless starry diamonds 

That deck the brow of Night ; 
For the hurricane and lightning 

That make proud monarchs nod, 
And proclaim thy Kingly power, — 

I thank thee, O my God ! 



138 THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. 

For the treasures of the harvest, 

From garden, field and mead ; 
For the flocks and herds by thousands 

That in green pastures feed ; 
For the flowers of the prairies, 

Whose beauties poets laud ; 
For the wild grape's purple clusters, — 

I thank thee, O my God ! 

And for every thought that flashes, 

To light our earthly way ; 
For the lore of all the nations, 

We richly share to-day ; 
For the strong electric currents 

That carry thoughts abroad, 
Swift as arrows from thy quiver, — 

I thank thee, O my God ! 

For the mountain peaks that glisten 

Like crystals in the sun ; 
And are robed with clouds of glory, 

When golden day is done ; 
That Thou rulest in the nations, 

Not with an iron rod, 
But with tender love and mercy, — 

I thank thee, O my God ! 

REMARKS. 
COLLECTION. 

SINGING— " Praise God from whom all Blessings Fiow.» 



% Cjmstmas Concert ferrisc. 



"Christ the Lord." 



By FRANK SWEET, 



" For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a 
Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2 : 11. 

Copyright, 1879, by Frank Sweet. 




CHRIST THE LORD. 



[Make an arch of boards six inches wide, and six 
or seven feet high, surmounted by a small cross, the 
foot of which shall form the keystone of the arch. 
Trim the arch with evergreen and flowers, and cover 
the cross with blue paper, and place a gilt star on 
the top of the cross, and suspend a crown above it- 
Place under the arch a small stand trimmed with 
evergreen and covered with flowers. Place the name 
of the exercise in large letters made of gilt paper on 
the arch.] 

Superintendent. 

Tonight we celebrate the Savior's birth. Of him 
the prophets wrote, and the ancient bards of Israel 
sang, and the music of angels awoke the midnight 
silence of the skies, when they sang their anthems 
of praise to the " Prince of Peace." Now let us, 
with, one accord, lift up our hearts and voices with 
gratitude and praise, to the Father of our spirits, for 
his priceless gifts. 

SINGING,— " Hark, the herald angels sing." Page 80, Sparkling Rub'es. 



"CHRIST THE LORD." 141 

PRAYER. 

THE SAVIOR PROMISED. 

Sing, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth ; and 
break forth into singing, O mountains ; for the Lord 
hath comforted his people. Behold I will send my 
messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me ; 
and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to 
his temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, 
whom ye delight in ; behold he shall come, saith the 
Lord of hosts. And the government shall be upon 
his shoulder ; and his name shall be called Wonder- 
ful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting 
Father, The Prince of Peace. 

THE CHRISTMAS BELLS. 
A Recitation, 

There's music in the Christmas bells 
That ring in clear and silvery chimes, 

Till every heart with rapture swells, 
In the sweet hope of happier times ; 

When on our eager listening ears 
May fall the music of the spheres. 

Chime ever on, sweet Christmas bells ; 

Repeat your melody again ; 
For every thrilling note foretells, — 

Of peace on earth, good will to men ; 
When every wrong, that shuns the day, 

Before the light, will flee away. 

List, to the music of the bells, 

That floats so sweetly on the air ; 
Till from the heart's deep fountain, wells 

The spirit's universal prayer : — 
For light and hope and strength to rise 

To brighter homes 'neath fairer skies. 



142 " CHRIST THE LORD:' 

HIS BIRTHPLACE FORETOLD. 

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into 
the high mountain ; O Jerusalem, lift up thy voice 
with strength ; lift it up, be not afraid ; say unto the 
cities of Judah, Behold your God. There shall come 
a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of 
Israel The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, 
nor a law-giver from between his feet, until Shiloh 
come ; and unto him shall the gathering of the 
people be. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of 
Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda ; 
for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule 
my people Israel. 

SINGING — An echo duet, "Glory to God in the highest," Page 148, Wreath 
of Praise, 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 

Another joyful Christmas day, 

On wings of light has sped away. 

In purple robe and crimson vest, 

The sun went down the glowing west. 

The clouds lit up with heavenly glow, 

Flashed radiance on the world below. 

But soon the far horizon's fold 

Swung open wide its gates of gold ; 

Then out across the mystic sea, 

In all its royal majesty, 

The sun sped on its trackless way, 

And closed again the gates of day. 

The air is full of luminous mist, 

Crimson and gold and amethyst ; 

While down through Night's bespangled halls, 

A shower of purest crystal falls. 



" CHRIST THE LORD:' 143 

Ten thousand stars are in the sky, 
The silver moon is sailing by, 

Baptizing all the hills tonight 
With golden streams of mellow light. 
Long years ago, o'er Judea's plains, 
The angels sang the sweetest strains 
That mortal ears had heard till then : — 
" Peace on the earth, good will to men." 
They made the azure welkin ring, 
With — glory to the heavenly king ! 
The shepherds saw the white-robed throng, 
And were enchanted with their song. 
The wise men saw his glorious star, 
And came with offerings from afar : 
With myrrh, and frankincense and gold, 
And heard the wondrous tidings told : 
How unto us a child was given — 
The peaceful Prince of earth and heaven. 
O, may that song the shepherds heard, 
So like the carol of a bird, 
Ring on the quiet air tonight, 
And angels in their robes of white, 
Come down on fancy's golden stair, 
With heavenly gifts for all to share. 
With joyful voice and tuneful bells, 
And with the organ's lofty swells, 
Let that grand melody arise 
And fill the temple of the skies. 
Sing, O ye children, pure and bright ! 
For Christ the Lord is here tonight, 
Although you did not here today, 
With olive branches strew his way. 
Pray for the child of want and woe, 
That all its path may brighter grow. 



144 "CHRIST THE LORD:' 

And know those prayers in heaven are heard, 

Which speak in action more than word. 

And holy men, pray with him now, 

Who watched alone on Olivet's brow. 

Pray till the'wanderer's feet have trod 

The pathway of the Son of God. 

Pray for the strength to do your part 

In church and state and busy mart. 

Then ring the bells in all the towers 

Of all this blessed land of our's ; 

Ring in the good time yet to be — 

Of purer thought and liberty. 

Go minister to those in need, 

With loving word, and noble deed. 

Do what the Savior bids you do, 

And be to conscience ever true. 

But bring your royal gifts tonight, 

And crown the Lord of life and light. 

Love is the fairest, brightest gem 

That sparkles in his diadem. 

No ancient prophet, priest or king, 

A richer gift to him could bring. 

Nor yet a boastful Pharisee, 

Proud of his broad phylactery ; 

Nor heaven's grandest seraphim, 

Could bring a richer gift to him. 

Now bring your gifts, but carry still 

The angel's sweet refrain, "good will." 

And making all good things your choice, 

Press ever onward and rejoice. 

O, women pray, who pray aright, 

For blessings on the world tonight ! 

Pray that the voice from tongues of flame, 

Be heard in lowest depths of shame ; 



" CHRIST THE LORD:' 145 

That all who walk the ways of sin, 

Life's shining path may enter in. 

Bow down in temple, church and hall, 

Pray for the love that circles all ; 

Then sing the anthem of the skies 

Till every echoing hill replies. 

And O, ye angels ! com^ again, 

Sing — " Peace on earth, good will to men; " 

Till every hill and vale and plain 

Is vocal with the glad refrain. 

Until all human lives repeat 

The meaning of your chorus sweet ; 

Whose melody will never cease 

Till all the earth is crowned with peace ; 

And wears the glow of Eden's youth, 

When men shall worship God in truth. 

THE PROMISE FULFILLED. 

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of 
Judea, — There were in the same country, shepherds 
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock 
by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon 
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about 
them ; and they were afraid. And the angel said 
unto them, Fear not ; for behold, I bring you good 
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 
For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a 
Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly 
there was with the angel, a multitude of the heaven- 
ly host, praising God, and saying, c Glory to God in 
the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.' 

SINGING. — " Hark what mean those Heavenly Vo'ces," Solo, with full chorus 
Page 155, Sparkling Rubies, 



146 "CHRIST THE LORD:' 

CHRISTMAS ECHOES. 

[Have some one in the gallery sing the last two lines of each stanza after 
they are read.] 

When morning stars together sang 

The ancient music of the spheres, 
And all creation's arches rang 

To the grand march of youthful years, 
That came with measured steps sublime 
Down through the corridors of time ; 
Then angels came and talked with men 

Of glorious things that yet would be, 
When all the earth would smile again 

With Eden's grace and purity. 

The years sped on, and bards sublime 

Sang of Messiah's peaceful reign, 
When those who dwell in every clime 

Would sing the angel's glad refrain, 
And every voice and every pen 
Say — " Peace on earth, good will to men." 
Soon will those days so long foretold, 

Shine on the land, and on the sea, 
And earth attain the age of gold ; — 

A thousand years of Jubilee. 

O'er Judah's silver-mantled plains, 

When shepherds watched their flocks by night, 
The angels sang in sweetest strains, 

While round them shone a wondrous light ; 
This was the burden of the song 
That echoed from the white-robed throng; — 
" Glory to God " who reigns on high, 

And " on earth peace, good will to men," 
Rose to the arches of the sky 

That sent the music back again. 

They told the birth of Christ, the Lord, 
A mighty Savior promised long ; 



"CHRIST THE LORD" 147 

Then myriad angels in accord 

Unite in voluntary song, 
Until the music all divine, 
Awakes the hills of Palestine, 
That answer back in glad reply ; 

And wise men hasten to behold 
The mighty Day-spring from on high, 

And bring to him their gifts of gold. 

A richer gift than gold he brought 

From the celestial land above — 
An earnest life of holy thought, k 

That kept the perfect law of love 
By doing good ; and where he trod, 
Revealed the shining way of God. 
Rejoice today, ring all the bells, 

And let each voice with song arise, 
And with the organs highest swells, 

Increase the chorus of the skies. % 

"THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD." 

A Class Exercise. 
FIRST SCHOLAR. 

When we gaze with wondering eyes, 
On the rainbow's beauteous dyes, 
Ever changeful, ever new, 
Spanning all the arch of blue, 
It fades away. 

SECOND SCHOLAR. 

Not so, with the glory shed 
Round the path the righteous tread ; 
For the light that God has given, 
Shines on earth and shines in heaven, 
Through endless day. 



148 " CHRIST THE LORD:' 

FIRST SCHOLAR. 

Quickly fades each opening flower, 
Lasting only one brief hour, 
And so from the crown of Night, 
Soon may fall the jewels bright, 
No more to shine. 

SECOND SCHOLAR. 

But in yonder realms above, 
Boundless as a Father's love, 
While unceasing ages flow, 
On eternal hills will glow 
The Light divine. 

SINGING .— " Shout the glad tidings," Page 4, Calvary Songs. 
JOYFUL TIDINGS. 

Class Recitations by three Girls, 
FIRST. 

Listen to the song of joy 

As it floats o'er Judah's plains, 

While the angels find employ, 
Now, for their sublimest strains ; 

Telling of the Savior's birth, 

Heir of Heaven, and King of earth. 

SECOND. 

Hear the chorus of the sky 

Echo through the vale and glen ; 

" Glory be to God on high, 

Peace on earth, good will to men : " 

O'er the hills it floats along, 

In a ceaseless stream of song. 

THIRD. 

May we all with one accord, 
Tell the wondrous tidings still ; 



"CHRIST THE LORD:' 149 

Each a herald of the Lord, 

Bearing in our hearts — good will, 
Till we dwell with angels bright 
In the golden land of light. 

THE MORNING STAR. 
A Recitation. 

Shine grandly from the hills of God, 

Thou bright and Morning Star; 
And send thy healing beams abroad 

To all the realms afar. 

Thou art the Light of life divine, 

To erring mortals given ; 
And on the path where thou dost shine, 

Will rest the peace of heaven. 

Drive all the clouds of doubt afar, 

Swift as the lightning goes, 
And make each soul a radiant star, 

Where life immortal glows. 

GO, CHRISTIAN HERALDS. 

Go, Christian heralds go, 

The joyful news proclaim, 
Till all the nations know 

The mighty Savior's name. 

The love that he has shown, 

Transcends all human thought, 
With power to atone 

For sins by others wrought. 

His life was ever pure, 

Among his friends or foes, 
And he was always sure 

To feel for other's woes. 



150 " CHRIST THE LORD." 

Go, Christian heralds, go 
Where duty seems to call ; 

Till all the nations know — 
Christ lived, and died for all. 

Be honest and sincere 

In all you say and do, 
Through every passing year 

To God and conscience true. 

Though you may suffer loss, 
Go teach the Master's will; 

And be the sacred cross, 
Your highest glory still. 

The stairway of the skies, 

Is still by angels trod ; 
And by good deeds we rise 

The shining steps to God. 

SINGING — "Angel Voices," Page 132, Silver Songs. 

Remarks by the Pastor. 

Collection. 

SINGING— "Christmas Hosanna," Page 138, Notes of Joy. 



POEMS. 



ONE BY ONE. 



Silently life's golden sands 

Pass Time's hour glass one by one ; 
So the Night, with trembling hands, 

Drops her folds when day is done* 

One by one the nations rise, 

Gathering wealth and fame and power; 
While the days with cloudless skies, 

Pass them swiftly hour by hour. 

One by one the changeful years 

Speed forever in their flight; 
One by one the starry spheres 

Come to deck the brow of Night. 

Toiling all the golden day, 

Till the setting of the sun, 
Mount we up the shining way 

On the bright steps one by one. 

One by one the opening flowers 

Scatter fragrance on the air ; 
Making all the summer bowers 

Far more bright and sweet and fair. 

All immortal songs are wrought 
From the soul's sweet melody, 

Word by word and thought by thought; — 
So they evermore will be. 



i52 POEMS. 

One by one the blessings fall 
From our Father's hand of love ; 

Gifts he giveth unto all — 
Thus he leads to realms above. 

PROGRESSION. 

How oft, at the early twilight hour, 
The spirit prays for the gift of power ; 
And for wings to rise from every sin, 
Up the shining way that enters in 
The pearly gates of heaven. 

Yet step by step is the way we rise 
From lowly earth to the starry skies ; 
To the beautiful land of truth and light, 
Attaining the crown and robes of white, 
With strength that God has given. 

We rise by constant and noble strife ; 
Climbing steadily the hills of life ; 
Leading others in the upward way; 
Cheerfully doing good all the day — 
This is the way we rise. 

By kind words said, and our good deeds done, 
We pass the shining steps one by one ; 
Where beautiful feet of the just have trod, 
Till we gain a home of bliss with God, 
Beneath the cloudless skies. 

MY COUNTRY, 

America, thou art my pride ; 

More fair than all the lands beside ; 

From north to south, from shore to shore, 

Thou givest treasures evermore : 

Thy varied scenery, rich and grand, 

Is not excelled in any land. 



POEMS. 

The thriving North, with fields of grain 
That crown the mountain, hill and plain ; 
And lakes, upon whose surface gleams 
The golden light of morning's beams ; 
While stars that nightly deck the sky, 
Like jewels on their bosoms lie. 

The sunny South, where summer roves 
Ever amid the orange groves ; 
With cotton fields, in mimic show 
Like northern plains in robes of snow ; 
And broader fields with corn are crowned, 
With birds and flowers the whole year round. 

The East, with finest works of art, 

And crowds that throng the business mart ; 

With grazing herds upon the hills, 

And constant hum of many mills ; 

Where costly halls of learning stand — 

The crowning glory of the land. 

The West, with mountains rising high 
Above the clouds that robe the sky ; 
Where rivers flow o'er golden sand ; 
And mammoth trees, no other land 
Can boast, in stately beauty grow, 
Whose birth was centuries ago. 

Our mountains clad in evergreen, 
And pleasant vales that lie between, 
Where singing brooklets softly glide, 
With grain and flowers on either side, 
And larger streams that calmly flow, 
Or plunge to fearful depths below. 

Our prairies wide and rich and fair, 
With noble freemen everywhere, 
And best of all my tongue relates : — 
This glorious sisterhood of states, 



15« POEMS. 

That send their light and joy abroad, 
And trace these blessings all to God. 



SPARKLING WATER. 

A Song. 

O, the water ! sparkling bright, 
Flowing onward to the sea, 

Dashing crystal beads of light, 
On the rocks for you and me ; 

Better far than ruby wine, 

Is this nectar so divine. 

Bubbling from the crystal spring 
'Neath the wild wood's leafy shade, 

Where the birds so sweetly sing, 
Flows the drink that God has made ; 

How the ripples dance and play 

In the golden light of day. 

While the gentle showers fall, 
And the pleasant waters flow 

Out in living streams to all, 

Making music sweet and low — 

Drink the water pure and bright 

Sparkling in its liquid light. 



THOUGHT. 

O, what glorious power is given 
To each upward struggling soul ! 

Striving for the bliss of heaven, 
As its highest end and goal ; 

Cheering all life's onward way : — 
Child of God ! whate'er thy lot, 



POEMS, 155 

Gild the dark clouds as you may, 
With the precious gold of thought. 

Let not others think for you ; 

You have talents given to use ; 
To that sacred trust be true, 

And obtain the grandest views 
That your powers oLthought can reach : 

Seek for happiness and fame 
By what Truth and Wisdom teach, 

And you'll gain an honored name. 

With the blessings you receive, 

Won by prayer and toil and strife, 
Seek ye ever to achieve 

All the noblest aims of life ; 
For, with thought, you have the power 

That shall triumph over sin : 
Guard then, every passing hour, 

All the springs of thought within. 

In the onward march of Right, 

Thought removes the power of wrong ; 
And its ever-changing light 

Seems to grow more bright and strong; 
And the world progresses still ; 

For by use of tongue and pen, 
Thought — its mission shall fulfill, 

In the hearts and lives of men. 

Precious gift — there's nothing higher 

That the human soul may claim ; 
Which doth noble deeds inspire, 

If true greatness is the aim : 
Here the darkest clouds are riven, 

And all glorious works are wrought ; 
While the earth is made like heaven, 

With the God-like power of thought. 



156 POEMS. 

PRESENT AND FUTURE, 

While here amid life's toil 'and care, 
The soul oft breathes an ardent prayer 
For something far more grand and fair 
Than it enjoys today. 

The present hath its springs of joy, 
But discontent is the alloy 
That doth the happiness destroy 
That cheers our onward way. 

Thus oftentimes we fail to know 
The bliss we might enjoy below, 
Filling the soul with heavenly glow 
That may endure for aye. 

Hope paints the future wondrous "bright, 
With purple tints and golden light, 
And when it flashes on the sight, 
We think we shall be blest. 

And this is true of all our days ; 
The present hangs in misty haze ; 
The future gleams with shining ways 
Of peace and joy and rest. 

To make the best of things that are, 
And thankful be, is better far 
Than all our happiness to mar — 
Until we gain the best. 

MINE. 

Gleams of light from ages past, 
Ancient books of choicest lore, 

Truth and love that ever last, 

Free from heaven's bounteous store, 

Works the great and good have wrought, 

Crystallizing human thought — 
These are mine. 



POEMS. 157 

All the golden deeds of their's 

Shed a radiance round our way : 
All their pure and earnest prayers 

Sanctify life's present day ; 
Toiling for a home in heaven, 
Holy lessons they have given — 
These are mine. 

Aspirations pure and high, 

Rising to the world above ; 
Faith that brings my Father nigh, 

And secures his boundless love ; 
While he giveth, day by day, 
Grace to cheer my onward way- — 
These are mine. 

Other wealth I have than this, 

In that radiant world of light, 
Where the streams of life and bliss, 

Fill the soul with pure delight ; 
That upon the brighter shore 
Will be mine forevermore — 
All are mine. 

GLAD TIDINGS. 

I saw a messenger of God, 

With meek and noble brow ; 
And everywhere life's path he trod, 

He taught to "love God now." 

He spake the words of Christian cheer, 

Of Him the Life and Light, 
Who is the soul's sure refuge here, 

And makes our pathway bright. 

He spake of lands divinely fair, 
Beyond these changeful years ; 



158 POEMS. 

Of one kind Hand that gently there 
Shall wipe away all tears. 

He bade the mourning heart rejoice, 
And trust in Him who gave — 

And listen to the heavenly voice 
Of Him who "came to save." 

Then for a time a light outshone 
The noonday star of earth ; 

I learned to trust in Him alone 
Who gave the spirit birth. 

And O ! my soul in gladness rose 
To walk where Christ hath trod ; 

And found that calm and sweet repose, 
That follows "peace with God." 

LIGHT. 

Ere the stars or flowers had birth, 
Or the sun had kissed the earth — 

Dark was the night; 
But the darkness quickly fled, 
When the great Creator said — 

"Let there be light." 

Then the hosts of heaven fly 
To imperial thrones on high, 

With torch of gold, 
Each to light the arch of blue, 
Ever changeful, ever new, 

We now behold. 

Then the flowers in Eden grew, 
Drank the sparkling drops of dew, 

And earth was fair ; 
While beneath the smiling skies, 
Many fruitful trees arise, 

In beauty there. 



POEMS. 159 

There man walked in regal pride 
Till he ate the fruit denied, 

And so he fell ; 
But the light shone through the sphere 
Of the first-born crystal tear, 

And all was well. 

Wisdom in her hand doth hold 
Something brighter far than gold, 

To banish night ; 
Not a ruby in the mine, 
Or a diamond, can outshine 

Her wondrous light. 

Science sends the sacred fire 
Flashing o'er electric wire, 
With cheering light ; 

Nothing e'er can dim the ray 
That will guide its onward way, 

Or upward flight. 

And the Truth of God must shine 
With a glory more divine, 
Each passing day ; 
Until in her golden light, 
All the clouds of Error's night 
. Shall flee away. 

Darkest clouds that veil the skies 
Cannot keep from eager eyes 

The light divine. 
They who rise by good deeds done — ■ 
Brighter than the stars or sun, 

Their light will shine. 

For the night will melt. away, 
In the glow of perfect day, 
That greets the soul, 



160 POEMS. 

Just beyond the gates of light, 
Where the angels robed in white, 
Lead to its goal. 

If we ever day by day, 
Keep within the shining way 

The pure have trod, 
Where peace like a river flows, 
We shall gain the land where glows 

The light of God. 

"SIC ITUR AD ASTRA." 

If you would climb Fame's golden hills 
Until you reach the highest goal, 

Where Peace, with choicest nectar, fills 
The crystal chalice of the soul : — 

The fountain of Love's richest mead, 
Must ever flow out from your heart ; 

And you must grant to those in need 
Of daily gifts, a generous part. 

On Mercy's errand quickly go 

With willing feet where she may call : 

And with kind words and actions, show 
A noble charity for all. 

On golden stairs you then will rise 
To heights of everlasting Fame ; 

And every angel of the skies, 

Would sing the honors of your name. 

The glory then of your renown 
Will go on wings of light abroad ; 

And you will wear Life's brightest crown, 
With the immortal sons of God. 



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